Yao Ming had 30 points and seven rebounds as China pocketed their first win by beating Angola 85-68 at the preliminary round of the Olympic men's basketball competitions on Thursday.

Yao Ming had 30 points and seven rebounds as China pocketed their first win by beating Angola 85-68 at the preliminary round of the Olympic men's basketball competitions on Thursday.

The Houston Rockets center scored 17 points in the first half before China (1-2) beat Angola (0-3) 21-9 in the third quarter to lead 65-51.

China led 35-31 in the second but let loose in the rest of the first half to witness Angola cut the lead short to 44-42 at the break.

Joaquim Gomes led Angola with 17 points.