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| August 21, 2006 | Monday | Rajab 25, 1427 |
US cagers sound warning
SAPPORO (Japan), Aug 20: The United States delivered a clear warning to their rivals by blitzing China 121-90 at the world basketball championship on Sunday.
The tournament favourites served notice they were deadly serious about ending a six-year Olympic or world title drought with an awesome display to preserve their perfect record.
Olympic champions Argentina blew out Lebanon 107-72 to win their second straight game, while Spain and Germany also improved to 2-0 in the 24-team tournament.
But there was more woe for defending champions Serbia & Montenegro, who were beaten by France.
Olympic champions Argentina clinically took apart Lebanon, led by 23 points from forward Walter Herrmann in Group A.
Dirk Nowitzki took a back seat, meanwhile, as Germany overpowered New Zealand 80-56 to leave the Kiwis in trouble.
Nowitzki had 11 points and eight rebounds in a comfortable Group B win over New Zealand's Tall Blacks in Hiroshima that kept Germany on course for a place in the last 16.
Pau Gasol went for 26 points and Rudy Fernandez added 21 for Spain in a crushing 101-57 victory over winless Panama.
France bounced back from a first-day loss to Argentina by edging out Serbia & Montenegro 65-61 in a physical Group A clash.
Olympic silver medallists Italy overcame sharp-shooting Slovenia 80-76 in a see-saw Group D game to improve their record to 2-0. Slovenia slipped to 1-1.
Nigeria, meanwhile, suffered a hangover after Saturday's upset win over Serbia & Montenegro as they were beaten 84-77 by Venezuela in Group A.
African champions Angola overpowered Japan 87-62 in Group B to record their second win and leave the hosts at 0-2.
In Group C, Tiago Splitter scored 18 points as Brazil thrashed Qatar 97-66 to level their record after a shock loss to Australia.
The Boomers were quickly brought down to earth with a 76-68 defeat by Turkey while European champions Greece won their second straight with a 81-76 victory over struggling Lithuania.
In Group D, Carlos Arroyo scored 29 points as Puerto Rico beat Senegal 88-79 to even their record at 1-1 and leave Senegal at 0-2.—Reuters
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