Goran Dragic's run at World Cup comes to end vs. United States

Goran Dragic could do only so much.

It was no surprise Tuesday when Dragic's Slovenian national team lost 119-76 to the United States in a World Cup quarterfinal game in Barcelona.

A team counting Dragic as its only NBA player was trying to slay the U.S. monster program filled with NBA stars. It figured that Slovenia would need to have hot shooters to even hang with the U.S. but Slovenia missed 10 of its first 11 3-point tries, yet still remained within striking distance at halftime when the U.S. led 49-42.

Dragic opened the first half by posting up Kyrie Irving for a score to cut the lead to five. Dragic's layup with 6:14 to go in the third quarter had Slovenia within single digits at 58-49 but the U.S. then tore off a 61-27 finish to advance to the semifinals against Lithuania.

Dragic made 6 of 15 shots, including one of his five 3-point tries, and finished with 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and four turnovers. In seven World Cup games, Dragic averaged 16.0 points (11th highest in World Cup), 4.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds with 55.4 percent shooting (35.5 percent on 3-pointers).

Dragic is expected to take time to recuperate before coming to Phoenix sometime before Sept. 29, when the Suns depart for training camp in Flagstaff.