HIROSHIMA -- Spain's Pau Gasol posted the best kind of double-double on Monday afternoon.

He outscored fellow NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki 16-14. Better yet, his team defeated Germany, cruising to a 92-71 victory in their Group B matchup at the Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center.

On Monday, you can call him Senor Ganador (or Mr. Winner in Spanish).

Gasol had foul trouble in the first half and only played 7:03 before the break. Thus, his offensive production was limited (five points), but his team led 48-41.

Nowitzki, meanwhile, shared the team lead in points (11) with Demond Greene. Juan Carlos Navarro, Spain's top long-range threat, had 15.

Spain, the favorite to win Group B, pushed its advantage to eight points five minutes into the second quarter and then held a 12-point edge after three quarters.

Nowitzki played the type of game most players would consider a solid outing, finishing with 14 points, six rebound and five assists. But under constant, persistent defense from Spain's gutsy athletes, Nowitzki was never given a chance to get into a zone and do what he's done in the NBA for years -- rat-a-tat-tat, knocking down a succession of jumpers in row. He only attempted nine shots from the field.

"They double- and triple-teamed Dirk today," German point guard Steffen Hamann said with a disappointed look on his face. "We tried to get everybody involved in the beginning and we started out slow.

"We didn't find the (offensive) rhythm together."

He added: "We couldn't move the ball as well as we'd like to, or as (well) as we did yesterday."

"Teams do everything they can to keep the ball out of Dirk's hands," German coach Dirk Bauermann said.

Nowitzki was on the court more than anyone, racking up 34:34 of playing time. Gasol had 20:36 of work on the afternoon, but wasn't required to carry the load for a deep Spanish squad with arguably the deepest, best rotation in the world save for Team USA. He had a steady performance, converting 4 of 5 foul shots, 6 of 8 field-goal attempts and picking up three rebounds and a steal.

German center Patrick Femerling, who played college ball at the University of Washington (1995-98), said neither team's players went into this contest with the mind-set that it was the so-called Gasol-Nowitzki Show.

"They are exceptional players," Femerling said, "but in order to win games you've got to have four more people on the court and seven more on the bench who are there to support you."

"Basketball as a one-on-one game, I think, is overrated," he continued. "Especially in European basketball, you've got to play as a team and everybody did and that's why they won."

Naturally, Spain's productivity impressed Femerling

"You cannot win if you have one (only) great player," he said.

"I think the other (Spanish) players are not that shabby. They are a very difficult and a very tough team, and very structured c and very experienced players, although some of them are very young."

Going up against teammate Nowitzki in practice month after month, Gasol has plenty of experience battling an All-Star big man. Those same challenges come into play against Gasol, who one of the NBA's top pivotmen.

"He's a fast player and a physical guy," Femerling said of Gasol. "You can't let him get the ball that easy. Make it difficult for him: be agile, be quick and try your best. He's a very, very good post-up player, he has very long arms, quick hands and he has a lot of moves.

"You've just got to try to stay in front of him and try to contest him."

After this big-time showcase, one All-Star smiled. Another walked off the court and lowered his head in disappointment.

Both teams are in good shape, though. Spain enters the off-day with a 3-0 record, which his tied with Angola for the Group B lead. Germany is 2-1 and will look to have its other players step up when Nowitzki kicks the ball out to them when he faces multiple defenders.

Gasol was unavailable for comment after the game. Nowitzki spoke about the need for his team to play better defense next game.

To advance far in this tourney, both teams will need continued productivity from both superstars.