USA Basketball vs. Venezuela: Score, Highlights, Reaction from 2016 Showcase

The United States men's basketball team wasn't expected to have much trouble with a Grievis Vasquez-less Venezuela on Friday night from the United Center in Chicago, and the scoreline reflected just that as they recorded an 80-45 win. 

However, the offensive game was lacking as the United States' jumpers just weren't going down. Had it not been for a final two minutes in which they were able to play more freely, their 42.4 field-goal percentage would have been far worse.

The long-range play, though, was abysmal as the U.S. shot 16 percent (4-of-25) from three-point range. Klay Thompson hit three of his team's four three-pointers as he tied Kyrie Irving with a game-high 13 points.

Irving was the only other player to hit a three as the rest of the United States combined for a 0-of-16 mark.

Closer to the basket, DeAndre Jordan looked as though he was a man among boys, dominating the low post on both ends of the floor given his superior size and athleticism. 

Against Venezuela's undersized lineup, the center recorded eight points, six rebounds and four blocks. 

USA Basketball showed one of his monster rejections from Friday:

They also showed his most thunderous two points of the evening, which came from a Kevin Durant lob:

He anchored a defensive unit that was the real reason why the United States was able to win so comfortably. 

They held Venezuela to 23.9 percent from the field on the night, including just six points in the second quarter.

It helped them build an 18-point halftime lead despite experiencing a sluggish start. The U.S. shot just 12-of-40 from the field and 2-of-18 from three-point range in the first 20 minutes. 

The struggles actually allowed Venezuela to shock everyone with a 10-1 first-quarter run, but the United States quickly answered with a 12-2 run of their own to right the ship. 

Guard John Cox, who scored 12 of his team's first 18 points, largely carried Venezuela. He finished the night with 14 points total. 

While this might not have been the most attractive brand of basketball played by a United States team, it did expose some problems that needed to be addressed regardless of it being in an exhibition against a country not known for this sport. 

With the Summer Olympics' opening ceremonies in Rio getting underway in a week, this has the possibility of being an exhibition game the U.S. could look back on as a learning experience as the competition is set to become much stiffer in the coming days. 

Stats courtesy of USAB.com.