Sports in brief

PRO BASKETBALL

Americans finally put it all together

ISTANBUL — The United States finally looked like a champion Monday, powering into the quarterfinals of the basketball world championships with a 121-66 victory over Angola.

"Obviously we want to stay humble, but at the same time, we have to know that we can do it," forward Kevin Love said. "We know regardless of what people are saying, that we still are the favorites and we should play and really act like it, too."

Chauncey Billups had 16 of his 19 points and Kevin Durant all his 17 in the first half for the Americans, who face Russia, a 78-56 winner over New Zealand, on Thursday.

Autos

Dixon improves to 10-0 in NHRA Top Fuel finals

Larry Dixon kept his perfect final-round streak going with his 10th win of the season in Top Fuel at the NHRA's U.S. Nationals in Clermont, Ind. Dixon became the first NHRA driver to win 10 finals in a season without a loss. Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car), Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also winners at the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship event.

ET CETERA

NHL: The Atlanta Thrashers signed free agent forward Fredrik Modin, 35, to a one-year contract.

OLYMPICS: The leader of Munich's bid for the 2018 Winter Games resigned for health reasons, leaving figure skating great Katarina Witt with a more prominent role in the campaign. Willy Bogner has an unspecified bowel disease.

TENNIS: Patrick McEnroe resigned as U.S. Davis Cup captain after 10 years and will leave after the Americans' playoff against Colombia this month.

Times wires