Basketball: Tall Blacks conquer China to qualify top of their group

Shea Ili launches a layup against China. Photo / Photosport

Tall Blacks 67
China 57

It was scrappy, it was ugly, and it was tense, but in the end it was a fifth straight World Cup qualifying win for a Tall Blacks side who continue to impress.

A 67-57 World Cup qualifying win over China confirmed what we already knew: Barring disaster, this Tall Blacks side is heading to the 2019 World Cup, and if they keep developing, they might even be able to make some noise when they get there.

This afternoon's victory in front of a sold-out Auckland crowd sees the Tall Blacks finish top in Group A – a notable landmark considering their 11 points already banked will carry over to the second stage of qualifying. Granted, their opponents haven't been world class in their recent Asian run, but since their opening defeat to South Korea in November, they have overcome all their prospective challengers.

China provided their most difficult test, but though they had some sloppy stretches, the Tall Blacks showcased their increasing array of talent – most notably on the defensive end – to get the win. This particular Tall Blacks iteration has a smorgasbord of defensive ability, and they are working well together in Paul Henare's scheme.

It helped that China were fairly one-dimensional. They lived up to their billing as a team which loves to attack the hoop, but they didn't show enough variety, hitting just three shots from beyond the arc.

That tactic worked for them early, taking an 18-15 quarter-time lead as Spark Arena briefly turned into their home crowd thanks to the passionate Chinese fans in attendance, but eventually the Tall Blacks' defence wised up to what was on the Chinese menu.

Offensively, the Tall Blacks started sluggishly, but soon found their rhythm, getting out in transition for some easy buckets and starting to dominate down low.

They started the second quarter on a 13-0 run, with China going scoreless for four and a half minutes, as Isaac Fotu got to work in the post. However, just as it looked like they would start to stamp their authority, the Tall Blacks too went through a drought, scoring just five points in six minutes.

Suddenly, it was a mission to create good looks, with China hitting the front as the contest ground to a halt. It was a situation where the services of the unavailable Webster brothers would have come in handy, but the hosts instead drew on their ever-increasing depth to combat an increasingly frisky Chinese squad.

Abudushalamu Abudurexiti – soon off to NBA Summer League with the Golden State Warriors – was China's attemped saviour, putting up 23 points and 12 rebounds, but the Tall Blacks countered with balance.

Rob Loe had one of his best games in the Tall Blacks singlet, racking up 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and four blocks, Fotu finished with 15 points, Mika Vukona nabbed some crucial rebounds down the stretch, and Jarrod Kenny stepped up in the fourth quarter with some timely shots.

Henare believed his side's strong finish was a result of experience.

"The experiences that these guys have been through over many, many years allow them to perform at a high level on this stage.

"In those moments, that's when you rely on all the hard yards and all the experience to get you through those tough times, and I'm extremely proud that they were able to do that."

Eventually, that experience shone through to finally vanquish China's resistance, pulling away to take a 10-point victory, and continue their Asian ascendancy.

What's next for this squad? Well, they progress into the next stage along with China and South Korea, and – at full strength - will be heavily favoured to defeat Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, who they each play twice in the second stage of qualifying.

With four of those six teams making the World Cup, the Tall Blacks' odds look strong. But, that's a scenario to ponder in September. For now, the Tall Blacks can be content – one stage down, and just one to go.