Real Brazil shows up in win over Qatar
(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-20 15:14 Coach Xavier "Lulu" Ferreira
says the real Brazil showed up Sunday at the world basketball championship.
After being beaten 83-77 by Australia on Saturday, the South Americans used
steals, fast breaks and a controlling defense to overwhelm winless Qatar 97-66
in a Group C game.
"You saw Brazilian basketball at its best today," Ferreira said. "We used our
speed from the start to take advantage, and we stayed ahead of them the entire
game."
Brazil scored 13 points to Qatar's none on fast breaks, and scored 10 points,
again to Qatar's none, on turnovers.
In between, center Tiago Splitter scored 18 points as Brazil put on a 14-4
scoring spurt early in the opening quarter en route to a 51-29 halftime lead at
Hamamatsu Arena.
Qatar, making its first appearance at the world titles, lost 84-64 to
European champion Greece on Saturday. A day later, the Middle Eastern side found
itself under constant pressure by a relentless Brazilian defense.
Brazil's two NBA stars, Leandro Barbosa of the Phoenix Suns and Anderson
Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers, played 16 minutes each in the opening half
and helped Brazil control the play.
They were used sparingly in the second half by Ferreira, each player getting
just nine minutes on court. Brazil has a key matchup against Turkey on Tuesday.
Barbosa, still nursing an injured hand, finished with six points and Varejao,
who suffered a foot injury ahead of the championship, added 13.
Mosa Daoud was Qatar's top scorer with 16 points.
Teams in Group C have a day off Monday. On Tuesday, Qatar plays Lithuania.
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