NBA Summer League: China narrowly beats Croatia in Las Vegas

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The Chinese National Basketball team is competing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. They are now facing the Milwaukee Bucks after defeating Croatia. Mark Niu takes a look at the team's rare appearance in the increasingly popular and competitive summer league.

When the Chinese National Team opened their practice to the media during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, there was no hiding from what seemed obvious-they looked overmatched.

Team China lost its first game to the Miami Heat by 41 points and a second game to the Sacramento Kings by a score of 94-77.

GUO AILUN, GUARD TEAM CHINA "The intensity of the games in this summer league is really high. Every team we face is much stronger than what play against in China."

LI NAN, HEAD COACH CHINESE NATIONAL TEAM "This is so fast. It's a different level. For sure, their contact, we've never seen this before. Also, the rules are different. We'll try to get used to it, but still is hard to play this tournament, but we will play through this."

The NBA summer league is mainly composed of NBA rookies and relatively inexperienced players hoping to get noticed.

It's eleven days of basketball that has become big business, with fans from around the world flocking to the event.

This year is different because among the 32 teams, there are two international teams - Croatia and China - competing here for the first time since 2007.

"Go China!"

Game 3 pitted Team China against the Charlotte Hornets.

MARK NIU LAS VEGAS "As they warm up for another game, the Chinese National Team is not getting discouraged by the losses. They're starting to realize that each game is a learning experience to help them better prepare to host the FIBA World Cup of Basketball in China, in August."

From the start, the Hornets' quickness put them out in front. But China dug deep, taking the lead in the first half off some spectacular plays from Zhou Qi, who also briefly played in the NBA.

WARREN LEGARIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NBA SUMMER LEAGUE "They're in this game. By having this type of competition, it gives you sort of a measuring stick for the Chinese players where they need to go."

In the second half, an all-around effort helped the Chinese team take the lead by as much as ten points. Charlotte stormed back in the closing minutes to pull within two. But extra effort, especially from Zhou Qi eventually helped China come through with a surprising 84 to 80 victory.

ZHOU QI, CENTER TEAM CHINA "For us, we need to gain back our confidence and touch through these kind of games, which have been very helpful."

RONALD NORED, COACH CHARLOTTE HORNETS SUMMER LEAGUE "It was a fun style to play against. They're physical, they're tough. Their coaches do a good job. They run some good stuff. It was definitely different than playing your traditional NBA Summer League team."

"You're proud of your team?"

LI NAN, HEAD COACH CHINESE NATIONAL TEAM "Yeah, very proud of them."

It's unlikely China will make it to the final eight to play for the championship. But it has been a journey filled with both struggle and reward-an experience the NBA hopes will have Team China returning to Summer League on a regular basis.

Mark Niu, CGTN, Las Vegas.