China dims Clarkson's 28 points to win Asiad men's basketball opener

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-21 20:46:02|Editor: Shi Yinglun
Video PlayerClose

JAKARTA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- NBA Houston Rockets center Zhou Qi scored 25 points as powerhouse Chinese men's basketball team edged the Philippines 82-80 at 2018 Asian Games here on Tuesday.

Jordan Clarkson, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard, delivered 28 points off 5 3-pointers to go with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals but still failed to help team win the game. Christian Karl Standhardinger contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, Stanley Pringle added 14 points.

Besides Zhou Qi's 25 points, Wang Zhelin chipped in 13 points and Abudushalamu added 12 for China.

The Philippines took an early lead 5-0 on a three-pointer by Poy Erram and a floater by Clarkson before Zhou Qi burying three 3-pointers as China surged a 14-2 run to expand the lead to 8 on 20-12 in the first quarter.

But Clarkson showed his NBA-level power in the third period as he drilled in 3 straight 3-pointers to knot the score at 55-all. China scored six straight in the fourth to again built a double digit at 72-62 with 6:20, but the Philippines wouldn't walk away quietly, as Standhardinger made two free throws and Pringle buried a layup to lead the Philippines to surpass the score at 78-75.

Zhao Rui, who had 11 points, made a steal down the stretch from Pringle and helped China tie the game on 80-all by his fast break layup with 46 seconds left. Then Zhao Jiwei drew fouls from Clarkson and made both free throws to help China seal the victory. 

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001374078951