Kyle Anderson's clutch plays get China its first win in World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

Kyle Anderson converted a couple of layups when Angola tried to mount a comeback. With the win, China gets closer to qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

The Chinese national team's hopes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games got a significant boost on Thursday after they surprisingly defeated Angola, 83-76 (24-27, 21-18, 24-14, 14-17).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Hu Jinqiu Points 20 Accuracy 8-10 Rebounds 3 Assists 2

Considered underdogs in the match, China changed the flow of the game when they started implementing a 2-3 zone defense in the second half. While the first half was close, the last 20 minutes belonged to the Chinese.

Naturalized NBA player Kyle Anderson made a series of clutch plays down the stretch, converting a couple of driving layups when the opponents tried to mount a comeback.

Known as Li Kaier after the naturalization, Anderson finished the game with 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Hu Jinqiu was the top scorer with 20 points.

With the first win of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, China moves closer to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Sasa Djordjevic's team joins Japan as the lone two Asian teams with a victory in the tournament.

The best-placed Asian team, all six of which play in the classification games, will qualify to the Paris Olympics.

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