China lost!!!!!!Yao Ming scored more than any of the U.S. center.. Statistics Opinion on U.S.A vs China 8/31? Yao Ming was in foul trouble in tonight game 26 minutes, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks; 5 fouls & 3 TOs Group C: United States 84, China 65 By Conrad Brunner Indianapolis, Aug. 31 - The best that can be said for the United States’ performance in the preliminary round of the World Basketball Championship is that it is over, and that it has been survived. But if any statements were made, they came from opponents like Germany and China, both of which took substantial bites out of America’s aura of invincibility. China built a 12-point lead early and controlled most of the first half but with star center Yao Ming in foul trouble was unable to extend the drama. The U.S. eventually pulled away for an 84-65 victory on Saturday night in the RCA Dome. The U.S. (3-0) moves into the second round, where it faces Russia on Monday in Conseco Fieldhouse. China (1-2) plays Argentina on Monday. Paul Pierce scored 19, Shawn Marion 15 and Michael Finley 14 for the U.S., which used a 13-0 run bridging the third and fourth periods to take its first substantial lead, 67-55, and China was unable to counter. With the 7-5 Ming in and out of the game due to foul trouble – he finished with 10 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes – 6-11, 290-pound Mengke Bateer was the greater force inside. Bateer produced 19 points and seven rebounds. Hu Weidong and Zhu Fangu each scored 14. China dominated the first quarter, building a 28-16 lead – believed to be the largest deficit ever faced by an NBA-populated U.S. team in international competition. The U.S., in fact, did not lead at all until Michael Finley made two free throws in the closing seconds of the half to make it 43-42 at the break. China’s last lead was 55-54 with 4:27 left in the third period, on a 3-pointer by Fangyu.
1. Ben Wallace looks an action figure jumping at Ming. 2. Yao legs are tree trunks. 3. Mengke Bateer looks like Boomhauer with black hair.
