Yao scores 17 in exhibition win

HONG KONG (AP) -- Chinese basketball sensation Yao Ming scored 17 points as he led his national team to a 85-75 victory over Australian team Melbourne Tigers in an exhibition match Wednesday.

Yao, the top pick in last year's NBA draft and runner-up to Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire for NBA Rookie of the Year, also grabbed nine rebounds and blocked four shots before a near-capacity crowd of 10,200 spectators at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Chinese teammate and fellow NBA star Menk Bateer contributed 11 points and two rebounds.

"I was pleased with my performance and the match went well," said Yao, whose participation was in doubt after he cut his eyebrow during practice about two weeks ago.

Yao wore a bandage over the cut during the match, but he said earlier this week the wound had healed and didn't pose any major problems.

The 7-foot-6 Houston Rockets star took time to settle down, missing five dunks, but he came alive in the second half as China overcame a 44-38 halftime deficit to claim victory.

 

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