China claimed a tough, but valuable 77-73 victory against South Korea in their first game in the 17-32 Classification Round in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Friday. This win helped China remain hopeful in the competition for early qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Zhao Rui #1 of China shoots in the game against South Korea in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in south China's Guangzhou City, September 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
China's head coach Li Nan replaced Guo Ailun with Fang Shuo in their starting-lineup, looking to rely on his 3-pointer shots in the team's offense. Though such arrangement did not work as China missed five straight shots from the 3-point line. The team got the upper hand leading 7-2 thanks to their solid defense.
However, coach Li again made the mistake of sending a three-guard, small-ball squad, which immediately gave South Korea the chance to counter strike via offensive rebounds and screen plays. Fortunately for China, Li also made a right decision by sending Sun Minghui to the court, who began to hurt South Korea's defense with his fast penetration. Meanwhile, China's Wang Zhelin started to make contributions in the low block using his size. As Sun made a 2+1 play at the end of the first quarter, China regained the lead 19-18.
Guo Ailun #6 of China drives towards the rim in the game against South Korea in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in south China's Guangzhou City, September 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
Neither side could launch a smooth offense in the second quarter. Without enough shooters, China could not break the opponent's closing-in defense from the outside and had to rely on fast break. Without enough height, South Korea kept missing shots in the rim but they had offensive rebounds to make up the loss. After a painful second quarter, China led by three points (35-32).
China still could not solve their problem of losing rebounds. South Korea, in spite of their shorter-than-2-meter franchise, grabbed eight offensive rebounds but they had their headache: The team's most powerful offensive weapon Ra Gun-ah was submerged by China's big men. Having played all 20 minutes in the first half, the naturalized forward was only four for 13 and three of the shots he made were in the middle-range.
China's basketball icon Yao Ming (R) talks to Zhou Qi (L) during a timeout in the game against South Korea in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in south China's Guangzhou City, September 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
As for China, coach Li still refused to give the team's other two forwards, Abudushalamu Abudurexiti and Kyranbek Makan, even one second in the game.
South Korea further cut down their size in the third quarter, targeting China's passes and seeking mismatch in offense via screen plays. China also increased the team's use of screens though both sides only buried one 3-pointer this quarter, both lost intensity of their defense, making it easier for players to score. In the end, South Korea narrowed the difference down by one point to (54-52) before the fourth quarter.
Zhou Qi #15 of China posts up in the game against South Korea in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in south China's Guangzhou City, September 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
China almost repeated their failure in the last quarter as they watched South Korea grow smoother in offense and hot from the 3-point line. However, Chinese players stood up to the pressure thanks to Zhou Qi's tussling in the paint, Guo's magical 3-pointers, Yi Jianlian's steals and the strong will for victory.
Other games on Friday:
Poland 79-74 Russia
Nigeria 83-66 Cote d'Ivoire
Angola 62-71 Iran
Serbia 90-47 Puerto Rico
Argentina 87-67 Venezuela
Tunisia 86-67 the Philippines
Spain 67-60 Italy