TNT Sports
50-point wins for U.S. and Yugoslavia
By
Published 30/08/2002 at 07:43 GMT+1
The powerhouse United States team cruised to a 110-60 victory over Algeria in their opening game at the 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championships on Thursday. Yugoslavia, the closest threat to the USA's gold medal, also opened the tournament with a 50-point victory, defeating Angola 113-63.
Eurosport
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The powerhouse United States team cruised to a 110-60 victory over Algeria in their opening game at the 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championships on Thursday. Yugoslavia, the closest threat to the USA's gold medal, also opened the tournament with a 50-point victory, defeating Angola 113-63.
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Paul Pierce had 22 points in just 18 minutes while Elton
Brand and Michael Finley both collected 17 points for the U.S.,
who have a perfect 53-0 international record when using NBA
players in their line-up.
Jay Williams added 11 points for the Americans and Baron
Davis had 10.
The U.S. shot 53 percent from the field and out-rebounded
Algeria 47-24.
Amine Benramdane had 22 points for Algeria and Moured
Boughedir 15.
Reggie Miller, still feeling the effects of an ankle injury,
did not play for the U.S.
The Americans are strong favourites to win the gold medal,
with perhaps only Yugoslavia expected to be a serious threat to
their aspirations.
Yugoslavia also opened the tournament with a 50-point
victory, defeating Angola 113-63.
Peja Stojakovic had 13 points as eight players hit
double-figures for the Yugoslavs. Vlade Divac added nine points
and seven rebounds in just 16 minutes for the four-time world
champions.
Valter Monteiro had 16 points for Angola.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points, all in the first three
quarters, to lead Germany to an 88-76 win over China.
Nowitzki went 10-for-18 from the field to help Germany take
a 24-point lead.
NBA number one draft pick Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets
was charged with two fouls in the first two minutes and was
benched early.
He finished with 16 points, 10 in the second half. Mengke
Bateer led China with 23 points.
Pau Gasol scored 19 points to lead Spain to an 85-54 victory
over Canada, who are without any of their four NBA players in
this tournament.
Carlos Marco added 15 points for Spain while Rowan Barrett
and Kevin Jobity both had nine points for Canada.
Peco Cameron had 22 points and eight rebounds for New
Zealand as they overcame a 57-38 deficit with 7:54 left in the
third quarter to defeat Russia 90-81.
Sean Marks of the Miami Heat had 21 points and Kirk Penney
contributed 19. Rouslan Avleev's 18 points led Russia,
runners-up in the last two world championships.
Rogerio Klafke scored 22 points to steer Brazil to a 102-73
victory over Lebanon.
Joseph Vogel had 21 points for Lebanon, who are making their
debut in the event.
Elias Ayuso scored 22 points to lead Puerto Rico to a 78-75
triumph over Turkey in the closest game on day one.
Puerto Rico needed to make four free throws in the final
minute to hold off Turkey. Raymond Dalmau made two with 12
seconds left.
Emanuel Ginobili scored 15 of his 19 points in the first
half as Argentina crushed Venezuela 107-71 in the final game of
the day.
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