>>Team USA Defeats Dominican Republic

(New York, NY) -- Team USA dominated the Dominican Republic, 105-62, at Madison Square Garden in an exhibition match as they prepare for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay paced the Americans with 13 points apiece. Derrick Rose did not play, and he was replaced in the starting lineup by Kyrie Irving, who tallied 12 points with five assists and four rebounds. Rose is expected to play in Friday's exhibition game against Puerto Rico. The official tournament begins with pool play on August 30th in Spain.

>>Bulls' Rose Late Scratch For USA

(New York, NY) -- Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was a late scratch for Team USA before their exhibition game against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night. He was held out for precautionary reasons due to general knee soreness. He also didn't practice on Monday or Tuesday. ESPN reports he didn't play in order to make room for others still fighting for final spots on the World Cup roster. Rose is expected to play on Friday when the U.S. faces Puerto Rico in another exhibition contest. The U.S. won 105-62 at Madison Square Garden.

>>Nike Has Chance To Match UA Offer To KD

(Undated) -- Nike will have a chance to match the monster offer from Under Armour to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant. ESPN reports the new deal from Under Armour is in the 265 to 285-million-dollar range. There are other incentives included in the deal as well. Durant can still go back with Nike even if they don't match, but can't legally pick Under Armour if they do. Durant is also due over 41-million-dollars the next two years from OKC.