Turkey cruises past Japan in basketball World Cup

With four players scoring double digits, Turkey cruised past Japan 86-67 in its first game in Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 on Sunday.

Dogus Balbay of Turkey (R) in action during 2019 FIBA World Cup Group E match between Turkey and Japan at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China on September 01, 2019. [Photo: Getty Images via VCG/Zhong Zhenbin]

Turkey clearly knew where its strength lies. They kept the game physical from the start and soon built up an 11-3 advantage which forced Japan into their first timeout. Things didn't turn around for Japan as Turkey kept firing both from downtown and in the paint with great ball movement. The Japanese team trailed 28-12 as the first quarter ended.

The NBA prospect Rui Hachimura only scored 4 points from the free-throw line in the first ten minutes. His first score from the field didn't come until the last moments of the second quarter when the newly-drafted forward closed the first half with a layup and a dunk.

The deficit was slightly cut to 12 points before the interval, but Turkey answered with a dominant third quarter. With a driving layup made by its NBA star Cedi Osman, Turkey enlarged the advantage to 21 points with two minutes left in the third and sealed the victory 86-67 in their opening game.

The victory also ensured Turkey a vantage position in Group E where the defending champion Team USA is estimated to rank first.