By Israel Gutierrez

McClatchy Newspapers

BEIJING — Once LeBron James stole the ball near midcourt, it took just one dribble before he reached the basket for an emphatic reverse dunk.

Later, had two of three U.S. blocks in one possession, which eventually led to a Dwyane Wade fastbreak layup on the other end.

Revenge, apparently, is a dish best served with defense.

The U.S. basketball team avenged a 2006 world championship loss to Greece with a 92-69 trouncing of the Greeks in the third game of pool play at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on Thursday.

This was the Greek team that scored 101 points on 63 percent shooting with eight three-pointers against the Americans in the semifinals of the FIBA world championships in Japan.

This time around, the U.S. held the Greeks, who execute the pick-and-roll play about as well as any team in the world, to 41.9 percent shooting, including just 3 of 17 from three-point range.

Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh led the Team USA with 18 points apiece, while Wade added 17, five assists and three rebounds. James contributed with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Bosh was 7 of 8 from the field.

The Americans are now 3-0 in pool play, with defending world champion Spain next on the schedule. The Spaniards are also 3-0 after defeating Germany on Thursday.