Boasting a plethora of NBA talent, the defending champions showcased their considerable quality with a ruthless demolition of the Scandinavians, the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson racking up 18 points while Derrick Rose continued his comeback from a second major knee surgery with a 12-point performance.
Turkey started their campaign with a dramatic victory as the 2010 runners-up overturned a 38-28 half-time deficit to edge New Zealand 76-73, who missed a chance to send the game to overtime as Kirk Penney's last-gasp three-point attempt bounced off the rim.
Two-time winners Brazil were another side to earn a tight victory with a 65-63 success over France, while 2006 champions and hosts Spain hammered Iran 90-60.
Pau Gasol was the star of the show for the home nation in Seville, the Chicago Bulls man top scoring with 33 points in an easy win.
Argentina got off to a flying start as Luis Scola scored 20 points and totalled nine rebounds in a dominant performance to inspire a 98-75 triumph over Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile, the double-double of Senegal's Gorgui Dieng proved in vain as Greece cruised to a 87-64 success, and Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic put up 21 points in Slovenia’s 90-80 victory versus Australia.
Elsewhere there were wins for Croatia, Ukraine, Angola, Lithuania and Serbia.