China beats Iran 86-64 in Stankovic Cup
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China's Yi Jianlian (L) aims at the basket during a match against Iran at the Stankovic Continental Cup 2010 in Liuzhou City, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 29, 2010. [Xinhua/Meng Yongmin] |
For China, the match against Iran was more about pride than victory on Thursday night.
The men's basketball team had been under huge pressure since last year's Asian Championship final loss to Iran and it finally got rid of some of the stigma with a 86-64 demolition of its rising Asian rival at the Stankovic Continental Cup.
Wang Shipeng led China with 22 points while Washington Wizards forward Yi Jianlian had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts.
A determined Chinese side took a 21-15 lead after the first quarter and then used aggressive offense in the second to all but seal the match by extending the margin to 43-23.
China played without Houston Rocket center Yao Ming, who is out with a broken foot while Iran missed towering center Hamed Ehadadi, who is playing preseason NBA games.
Iran blew out home favorite China, 70-52, to defend its Asian Championship last year in Tianjin.
In Thursday's earlier match, Australia defeated Slovenia 77-63 and virtually booked a place in Sunday's final.
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