Meng Duo leads China over New Zealand at Basketball Friendly

Team Red of Chinese men's basketball national team defeats New Zealand 89-62 at the 2017 Chengdu International Basketball Championship on August 3, 2017. [Photo: sina.com.cn]

Veteran Meng Duo led Team Red of Chinese men's basketball national team bounce back from Wednesday's 70-78 loss to Angola and thrashed New Zealand 89-62 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Thursday at the 2017 Chengdu International Basketball Championship.

The Chinese team, who trailed by one point after the first quarter, used a 32-14 second quarter to set the tune of the match. The host, who was one-of-six in three-pointer shooting, made in five during the second quarter, two of which came from Meng Duo, who is called Chinese Dwayne Wade.

The Chinese Wade continued his miracle performance in the second half. The guard scored another 13 points to finish the game with a match-high 26.

Nine Chinese players who played all scored. Besides Meng's 26, Zhao Rui helped with 20 while Abdusalam added 10 and seven rebounds. Zhao Jiwei dished out five assists.

"We did great job in defense today, especially in the first quarter." said Li Nan, head coach of the Team Red. "I knew the New Zealand team is a very physical one and before the match I told my players to get tough tonight."

Derone Raukawa and Shea Ili led New Zealand with 15 apiece. Paul Henare, head coach of New Zealand, told Chinese press that this is exactly the team he will bring to Lebanon for the upcoming Asian Cup.

"Just hope my young players could gain some experiences from tonight's loss." said Henare.