OLYMPICS /
center
China loses to world champion Spain 75-85 in OT
Agencies
Updated: 2008-08-12 19:04
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China's Yao Ming (L) vies with Spain's Pau Gasol during a men's preliminary round group B basketball match at the Olympic Basketball Arena in Beijing on August 12, 2008. [Agencies]
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BEIJING - Pau Gasol scored nine points in the overtime to lead world champions Spain to a 85-75 win over China on Tuesday in the men's basketball competitions of the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Los Angeles Lakers' center gave Spain (2-0) the first lead on 74-72, 49 seconds into the overtime since a 26-25 lead in the second quarter, and forced China's pivot Yao Ming missed two shots in row on the defending side.
Yao was fouled out with 2:28 minutes left with Pau made a successful three points play to put Spain up by 79-74.
China (0-2), which led 46-37 before the break and 61-47 at the end of the third quarter, failed to connect two consecutive 3-pointer attempts, while Pau concluded two fastbreaks with dunks to ensure the win.
Mark Gasol's fade-away jumper in the key tied the game on 72-72 with 19.7 seconds to go. Neither team scored on the last chance in the regular time.
