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NEW YORK -- The U.S. has picked the 12 players it believes can defend its world basketball title. The Americans kept Derrick Rose and cut All-Star Damian Lillard and three others early Saturday morning, getting their roster down to the limit for the FIBA World Cup of Basketball. Though team officials had previously said they might carry extra players when they left for Spain on Saturday, and final rosters arent due until next Friday, the Americans decided there was no need to wait. Kyle Korver, Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons also were cut, shortly after the Americans beat Puerto Rico 112-86 in their final home exhibition game. "Since taking over the USA Basketball mens national team program in 2005, this was without doubt the most difficult selection process weve gone through," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a statement. "I cant stress enough the outstanding effort and commitment that has been given by each finalist. "I also want to make it clear that this is not just about talent -- each player is incredibly talented and each player offered us unique skills. In the end it was about assembling the best team, selecting guys who we felt would be able to best play the kind of style we envision this team playing." The rest of the roster is: Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson, Andre Drummond, Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Kenneth Faried and Mason Plumlee. The Americans can still change the roster in event of injury or withdrawal before Friday, a day before the World Cup opener, which is why they originally considered bringing extra players to Spain. "We feel that its better to go with 12 because thats really difficult on anybody if theyre not going to be on the team to travel that far," coach Mike Krzyzewski said after the game at Madison Square Garden. Lillard, Drummond, Hayward and DeRozan didnt play in the game, but Krzyzewski stressed afterward the final decisions on the roster hadnt been made -- and it turned out two got tickets on the plane. "Im excited about the 12 players selected and feel we have excellent versatility and the makings of a really good defensive team," Krzyzewski said. Rose came off the bench and scored six points in 14 minutes. He had sat out the previous game and a couple of practices this week after feeling soreness following last Saturdays exhibition opener against Brazil, his first action since missing most of the last two seasons after a pair of knee surgeries. But he proved he was healthy enough to make his second U.S. team, having played for the Americans when they won the former world basketball championship in 2010. "These guys want to play with him. Thats part of getting back is to be around a group of peers," Krzyzewski said. Curry scored 20 points, while Harden and Gay had 13 points apiece for the Americans, who will play a final exhibition game in Spain against Slovenia and open the World Cup next Saturday against Finland. The U.S. led 52-47 after Thompsons buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of an entertaining first half before a divided crowd that included plenty of Puerto Rican fans. Knicks All-Star and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medallist Carmelo Anthony, who is part Puerto Rican, was in the front row along with golfer Rory McIlroy and tennis star Andy Murray. The Americans lost a number of key players this summer but are still good enough to defend their world title with the roster that remains, though they are vulnerable, which Puerto Rico proved by staying right with them for 20 minutes. But they can also turn close games into blowouts in a hurry, which they did by outscoring Puerto Rico 14-2 to open the second half, with some energetic plays from Faried on both ends, to open a 66-49 lead. "The team is looking great," Puerto Rico guard Carlos Arroyo said. "A lot of young guys motivated to represent their country with a lot of pride and honour, and youve got to give respect to that." Puerto Ricos veteran backcourt of Arroyo and J.J. Barea has loads of international and NBA experience, and they didnt wilt under relentless U.S. pressure the way so many other teams do. Former Knicks forward Renaldo Balkman also started for the Puerto Ricans, who play in Group B along with regional rival Argentina, Croatia, Greece, Senegal and the Philippines. Barea scored 16 points and Arroyo had 15. "Not every game is going to be pretty when we get to Spain, so this is a good test for us and a good experience for everybody on the roster," Curry said. Caleb Sturgis Jersey .com) - The Winnipeg Jets got over one hurdle by snapping their longest losing streak of the season. Derwin James Jersey . Amid a rain of confetti, Shabazz Napier basked in the celebration on the court after being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four following the 60-54 win over Kentucky. http://www.chargersfansofficial.com/ . JOHNS, N. Virgil Green Chargers Jersey . Yet coming off consecutive series losses at St. Louis and Pittsburgh, Los Angeles needed some sort of spark as August approaches. The Dodgers found it in the ballpark of their biggest rival, and left the Bay Area in first place following an emphatic three-game swing. Mike Pouncey Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle.LONDON - West Ham maintained its strong form and stunned Manchester City with a 2-1 victory on Saturday, inflicting a second loss in the champions Premier League title defence.Morgan Amalfitano opened the scoring for West Ham with a 22nd minute tap-in following a low pass into the box from Enner Valencia.Diafra Sakho scored his seventh goal in seven games to double West Hams lead in the 75th, after connecting with a cross from Aaron Cresswell. Goal-line technology showed that it was valid, after City goalkeeper Joe Hart had initially appeared to have clawed the header off the line.David Silva magnificently halved West Hams lead two minutes later, darting past four tackles and slotting expertly past Adrian. After the goal, a late surge from City wasnt enough and the home fans at Upton Park erupted into jubilation at the final whistle.This is a famous victory for us and one that we will treasure for a long, long time, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said.West Hams midfield took a hold of the game early on. Man of the match Alex Song, oon a season-long loan from Barcelona, dictated the pace in the centre of midfield, outplaying a subdued Yaya Toure and Citys other stars.dddddddddddd.Every man went out there, gave it their all, deserved the victory that I dont think too many people expected, Allardyce said.West Ham at times rode its luck in the second half with Citys in-form striker Sergio Aguero looking especially dangerous.West Ham played very well and with a very high intensity, City manager Manuel Pellegrini said after the match. We had a lot of chances to score, but it is difficult to win if you dont take them. We were very unlucky in the second half. We hit the post and went just wide with another.The Hammers are now just a point behind City.I am so pleased by the amount of chances we created today...but we have to keep our feet on the ground and not get too carried away with this result, Allardyce said.The result means City loses the opportunity to gain ground on Premier League leader Chelsea, which plays against Manchester United on Sunday. ' ' '