U.S. blasts China as James leads way
With Yao Ming out with an injured left foot, China never had a chance against the powerful United States.
LeBron James scored 22 points and Carmelo Anthony added 18 to lead the Americans to a 119-73 win over China on Monday at Guangzhou, China.
China held the U.S. lead to five points after the first quarter, but the margin increased to 23 at halftime and 40 after three quarters.
China didn’t even have its best players.
Besides Yao, NBA veteran Wang Zhizhi sat out with a torn ligament in his right knee. The other Chinese players struggled against the physically superior Americans. Yi Jianlian, a 6-foot-10 center considered China’s next NBA prospect, had 14 points, while Du Feng led the scoring for China with 18.
The U.S. defense repeatedly stole the ball, and the Chinese were slipping and falling as they attempted to keep up with their faster opponents.
“• New Seattle SuperSonics and Storm owner Clay Bennett was in the Seattle area to begin three days of meetings with community leaders and team officials.
CYCLING
Landis now pessimistic
Embattled Tour de France champion Floyd Landis said Monday the way his doping case has been handled so far makes him doubtful that he’ll be able to clear his name.
“By what I’ve seen so far, I don’t expect to get a fair chance,” he said in a telephone interview from California. “But I’m hoping that will change.”
Landis said the release of test results to the media before he had an adequate chance to examine them made it difficult to defend himself. He offered no new explanation for the elevated testosterone levels, or synthetic testosterone, found in his system after a stirring Stage 17 win.
Landis defended his stage 17 effort, saying the comeback was less of an oddity than the positive sample.
MISCELLANY
Three into racing hall
Jockey Bill Boland, rider of 1950 Kentucky Derby champ Middleground, joined Carl Hanford, trainer of the famed Kelso, and champion thoroughbred Cougar II as the newest inductees into at the hall of fame, across the street from Saratoga Race Course in New York.
• Israel was barred by UEFA — the European soccer governing body — from hosting international soccer matches until further notice because of the violence that has wracked the region.
• The Rangers and forward Marcel Hossa agreed to terms Monday on a one-year deal worth $600,000.
• Veteran NHL defenseman Eric Weinrich is retiring after an 18-year career and joining the coaching staff of the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine.
• Penn State extended the contract of men’s basketball coach Ed DeChellis two years, rewarding him for guiding the young team to the school’s best record in five years.
• Nebraska backup sophomore quarterback Harrison Beck is leaving the Cornhuskers after missing two practices.