MADRID, (Reuters) – The United States survived a  spirited comeback from world champions Spain to win 86-85 in  thrilling a warm-up game yesterday, sending out a warning to  their rivals ahead of the world championships.

The Olympic gold medallists have set out for Turkey with a  side shorn of big names such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and  Dwyane Wade who starred in Beijing.

But the young replacements showed their mettle in a hostile  Madrid against a more experienced side, who narrowly lost out on  gold in China.
Guard Kevin Durant led the way with game-high 25 points and  eight rebounds, closely supported by Derrick Rose and Lamar Odom  who sank 13 and 12 points apiece.

Juan Carlos Navarro topped the scoring for the hosts with 20  points backed by Marc Gasol and Felipe Reyes who notched 17 and  16 each.

“It was a great game and a great crowd. Two excellent teams  who played to their max,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewsky told  reporters.

“Fortunately we had one more play than them. I feel lucky to  have won. We started with a different line up and that was  really what we wanted tonight, to take a better look at our  players.”

Spain perhaps missed the influence of Los Angeles Lakers  forward Pau Gasol, who was watching from the stands after ruling  himself out of the trip to Turkey.

The MVP from the last world championships was sitting just  behind the world’s most expensive soccer player, Portugal and  Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo in the packed arena.

AGGRESSIVE

GAME
The U.S. laboured past Lithuania 77-61 on Saturday, a side  Spain swept aside 94-75 the day before, but they were much  quicker into their game, aggressively closing down their hosts  and preventing them from scoring until almost the five minute  mark.

Durant and Rose spearheaded their charge to a 23-16 first  period lead as Spain’s passes were as wayward as their shooting,  and the visitors extended the lead to 12 at the break.

Navarro took Spain to within two points at 55-53 midway  through the third as the locals threatened a comeback, but  Durant sank a breakaway at the end of the third to restore an  11-point advantage going into the final period.

Once again Spain came back though with Ricky Rubio and  Navarro at the helm, the latter drawing them level at 80 apiece  with two minutes to go.

But Rose held his nerve amidst a raucous local crowd to take  the game from the free-throw line in the final seconds.

“This has been a great experience for us against one of the  best teams in the world,” game MVP Durrant told reporters.

“I’m pleased with my contribution… and the way the team  stuck together.”

The U.S. have one more tune-up game against Greece in Athens  on Wednesday before the world championships get underway in  Turkey on Aug. 28.