Furkan Korkmaz (front) of Turkey goes for the basket during the group E match between Japan and Turkey at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Shanghai, China, Sept. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)
SHANGHAI, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- With four players scoring in the double digits, Turkey cruised past Japan 86-67 in their first game in Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 here on Sunday.
Turkey clearly knew where its strengths were. They kept the game physical from the start and soon built up an 11-3 advantage which forced Japan into their first timeout. Things didn't turn around for Japan as Turkey kept firing both from downtown and in the paint with great ball movement. The Japanese team trailed 28-12 as the first quarter ended.
NBA prospect Rui Hachimura only scored four points from the free-throw line in the first 10 minutes. His first score from the field didn't come until the last moments of the second quarter when the newly-drafted forward closed the first half with a layup and a dunk.
The deficit was cut slightly to 12 points before the interval, but Turkey answered with a dominant third quarter. With a driving layup made by its NBA star Cedi Osman, Turkey enlarged the advantage to 21 points with two minutes left in the third and sealed the victory 86-67 in their opening game.
The victory also ensured Turkey a good vantage point in Group E where defending champions Team USA are estimated to rank first.
"We did a really good job today. We played really good team defense and we didn't let them find easy baskets, so I think that was the key," said Turkey forward Cedi Osman, who netted 12 points.
Turkey started the game with a 28-12 run in the first quarter.
"The first quarter was just experience. We really didn't understand the level at which they were going to come out and play. They kind of hit us in the mouth and we were kind of taken aback but from that point forward we battled and competed," Japan's center Nick Fazekas said.
