'Unselfish' U.S., Wade crush China
By TIMES WIRES
Published August 21, 2006
SAPPORO, Japan - One day Carmelo Anthony leads the United States in scoring. The next day, it's Dwyane Wade's turn.
Wade scored 26 Sunday to lead the Americans to a 121-90 rout of Yao Ming and China, the United States' second victory in as many games at the World Championship.
Someone else may lead the way against Slovenia on Tuesday.
The American team was assembled this way. Unlike many teams in the World Championship, it doesn't have to rely on one or two stars to carry the scoring load.
"We have to be unselfish because of the caliber of players that we have," captain LeBron James said. "There's no reason for us to be selfish. Guys can make shots. Guys can make plays at any given moment of the game. I go out there to be unselfish, and it kind of rubs off on everybody else. That's the kind of team that we have."
James averaged 31.4 points last season for Cleveland. He's averaging 13 in the first two games of this event.
The Americans have averaged 116 points against Puerto Rico and China. And they haven't relied on any single player.
Anthony scored a team-high 21 in the opening 111-100 victory over Puerto Rico, and nine of the 11 Americans who played scored at least two baskets. Wade had 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting against China. And he didn't start.
The United States spread the ball around early. Shane Battier, who took two shots in the opener, opened the game with a 3-pointer, then drove for a basket.
Dwight Howard made two free throws. Then Anthony and Chris Paul each hit 15-footers. The only starter who didn't score in the first four minutes was James.
In other Group D games, Puerto Rico defeated Senegal 88-79, and Italy topped Slovenia 80-76.
Group A: Argentina, runnerup at the 2002 World Championship in Indianapolis, beat Lebanon 107-72. Venezuela defeated Nigeria 84-77, and France edged Serbia and Montenegro 65-61.
Group B: Germany routed New Zealand 80-56 despite a poor shooting performance from Dirk Nowitzki. Spain, led by Pau Gasol's 26 points, defeated Panama 101-57, and Angola beat host Japan 87-62.
Group C: Brazil cruised to a 97-66 victory over Qatar. Turkey came back from a six-point deficit after three quarters to top Australia 76-68, and Greece defeated Lithuania 81-76 in overtime.
WNBA
CONNECTICUT 68, WASHING-TON 65: Katie Douglas scored 16 for host Connecticut and Washington's Alana Beard missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds, allowing the Sun to hold on and advance to the Eastern Conference final for the fourth straight season.
But the win wasn't all good news for the Sun. Douglas left the game after injuring her right foot with 55 seconds left.
The Sun plays Detroit in the Eastern final.
Beard led the Mystics with 21 points and nine rebounds.
los angeles 78, seattle 70: Mwadi Mabika turned a frustrating first half into a crucial victory for host Los Angeles.
Mabika scored nine of her 17 in the third quarter and the Sparks rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Storm, evening their best-of-three first-round Western Conference series and forcing a decisive game Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Betty Lennox led the Storm with 19 points.
Awards: Mike Thibault was honored as WNBA coach of the year after leading the Connecticut Sun to the Eastern Conference championship and the league's best record, 26-8.
Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx, who averaged 22 points and was the league's second-leading scorer, won the rookie of the year award.