CHN/GER – Yao leads China in survival show against Nowitzki’s Germany

BEIJING (Olympics) – Yao Ming and China survived a superhuman effort from Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki to win their Group B clash 59-55 and seal a place in the quarter-finals at the Olympics.

Nowitzki had 11 of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter as Germany reduced a 54-41 deficit with less than seven minutes remaining to 56-55.

But the Dallas Mavericks seven-footer, with a chance to put his team in front, was called for a charge and Yi Jianlian scored at the other end for a three-point Chinese lead.

With 18 seconds left, Nowitzki put up an attempt from the top of the key but the ball rimmed out and China rebounded before holding on for a narrow win.

“This was a very difficult game for us, especially psychologically because you are playing at home,” Kazlauskas said to FIBA.com.

“It’s a game you can’t lose.

“The key has been defense and Yao’s interior play.”

Germany still have a game to play against the United States on Monday but have no chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

After the game, Germany’s players – except Nowitzki who had exited the floor and gone to the locker room on his own – gathered at midcourt with their arms around each other.

“I’m really proud of my team because of how they played,” Germany coach Dirk Bauermann said to FIBA.com.

“We have to congratulate China because they are through to the last eight and we are not. But I’m very happy with what Dirk and Chris (Kaman) have done throughout this tournament and let’s not forget that we came through the difficult qualifying round.”

When asked if he thought Nowitzki and Kaman would play next summer at the EuroBasket in Poland, Bauermann said: “I really hope so. The EuroBasket is eight or nine months from now. It’s still early, but I hope both of them play.”

Nowitzki also had a game-high 17 rebounds but was guilty of committing seven of Germany’s 14 turnovers.

Kaman had 12 boards to go with his 10 points.

Yi finished with nine points and 11 boards.

China trailed 31-27 at half-time but held Germany to eight third-quarter points to lead 47-39. They then had to hold on at the end, allowing Kazlauskas to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Our players don’t have experience except Yao,” he said.

“At least we’ve achieved the minimum of our program of what we wanted.”

Kazlauskas knows China will now need to be at their best in the quarter-finals.

“Lithuania and Argentina are both great teams,” China’s Lithuanian coach said.

“I think my team is improving every game. We didn’t play an excellent game, but neither did Germany.

“But I’m very happy with this win.”

“We’ll never forget this moment,” Yao said to FIBA.com. “This was a great win for us.”

FIBA