Andrei Kirilenko, heading back to the NBA, scored 35 points to help Russia spoil Britain's return to Olympic men's basketball with a 95-75 victory Sunday.
Kirilenko, who played last season in Russia after spending 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz, signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Long a top defender, he showed an expanded offensive game, making 14 of 17 shots.
Alexey Shved, also Minnesota bound, added 16 points and 13 assists for the Russians, who wore down the hosts with their physical defensive pressure.
Luol Deng scored 26 for Britain, making its first appearance in the field since hosting the Olympics in 1948. The Chicago All-Star made the first basket of the game, drawing a huge cheer from the home crowd, and former NBA player Pops Mensah-Bonsu added 22, but the British were 4 of 26 from 3-point range.
