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Basketball: US crush China

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-20 20:30

Sapporo, Japan - The United States crushed China 121-90 to underline their status as favourites at the world basketball championship on Sunday. (See Full Coverage on the FIBA World Championship 2006)

China's Yao Ming reacts as he fouls LeBron James (6) of the US during the first round of the world basketball championships in Sapporo, northern Japan August 20, 2006. [Reuters]

Dwyane Wade led six American players in double figures with 26 points as the US team's suffocating defense led to several spectacular fast-break dunks in a one-sided Group D game.

The Americans, aiming to end a six-year Olympic or world title drought, have won their opening two games with ruthless efficiency following an easy 111-100 win over Puerto Rico.

Yao Ming dunks against the US during the first round of the world basketball championships in Sapporo, northern Japan August 20, 2006. [Reuters]

Despite considerable support from Chinese fans among the crowd, China were unable to match the energy or intensity of the Americans as they slumped to a second straight loss.

Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming scored 21 points but fouled out with 6:08 left as China were powerless to stop a surging US team who had built a 63-38 lead by halftime.

The US finished an embarrassing sixth at the last world championship in Indianapolis in 2002 and took bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The Americans won the last of their three world titles in 1994 and their last Olympic gold medal in Sydney six years ago.