Yao makes it ‘all better’
Yao Ming scored 30 points to lead China to an 85-68 win against Angola yesterday , giving the Olympic hosts their first victory of the Games.
Using an overwhelming height advantage, China dominated under the basket and exploited sloppy play by the African champions for easy baskets.
Yao made 10 of 11 field goals, matched by 10 of 11 from the free- throw line. Sun Yue added 11 points, sinking all his four field goals, including two three-pointers.
Joaquim Gomes led Angola with 17 points.
"We have Yao for our offense," forward Yi Jianlian said. "We just pass the ball to him and let him shoot within his range. What I do is defend and rebound. That's my role."
Jianlian caught fire and scored on dunks apart from grabbing 10 defensive rebounds, winning him a rare note of approval from coach Jonas Kazlauskas.
"I think he still hasn't found a good chemistry with Yao. This isn't easy. But today much better," he said.
Kazlauskas had been concerned by China's late collapses against the United States and Spain. After China appeared to wobble in the second quarter, he sat the team down for a firm talk at half-time and "all better," he said.
China now face the teams they will fight for medal play-off berths - Germany on Saturday and Greece on Monday - and likely need at least a win to advance. "If we keep up our spirit, we can fight against anyone," Yao said.
The United States later overwhelmed Greece 92-69 to get a measure of revenge for their defeat to the European giants in the semi-finals of the 2006 world championships.
Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh each scored 18 points to lead the US squad, who also got 17 from Dwyane Wade and 13 from LeBron James. The Americans remained unbeaten in Group B preliminary round ahead of tomorrow's showdown against world champions Spain, 72-59 winners over Germany.