Highlights: China beat Iran 70-57 to go to the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship game

China had subdued Iran to EXTREMELY POOR FG%….. 28.6% (18/63) FG%, 34% (16/47) 2-pointer% and 12.5% (2/16) 3-pointer%, andChina’s exterior players did very well to find their shots; China scored 46.3% (25/54) FG%, 48.6% (18/37) and 41.2% (7/17) 3-pointer%.

The Iranians were completely thrown out of their rhythm, and could only managed 2 assists for the whole team, while China had 13 assists shared between various players: Guo Ailun (6), Zhao Jiwei (3), Zhai Xiaochuan (3) and Yi Jianlian (1).

3 CNT players were in double digit scoring:

Yi Jianlian was the top scorer and top rebounder again with 13 points (5/10 FG% 1/1 3-pointer% 2/4 FT%), 8 rebounds, 1 assists and 4 block shots.

Zhou Peng scored 12 points (5/6 FG% 2/3 3-pointer% 0/2 FT%) and 3 rebounds.

Ding Yan Yuhang contributed 10 points (3/8 FG% 1/4 3-pointer% 3/4 FT%), 5 rebounds and 1 block shot.

2 players, even though not into double digits scoring were worth mentioning: Zhai Xiaochuan and Zhou Qi. 

Even though Zhou Qi did not play much due to picking up fouls too quickly, yet every time he was on court, he played very well together in defense with Yi Jianlian, limiting damage done by EHadadi, who only scored 16 points (5/11 FG% 6/10 FT%), 11 rebounds 2 block shots but 8 turnovers. Zhou Qi scored only 6 points (3/9 FG%), 4 rebounds and 3 block shots.

As for Zhai Xiaochuan, he stepped up when Zhou Peng was plagued with fouls, to guard Iran’s dangerman, Mohammad Nikkhah Bahrami,considered one of the best small forwards in Asia. Between Zhou Peng and Zhai Xiaochuan, they subdued Bahrami to score only 18 points (5/15 FG% 0/5 3-pointer% 8/9 FT%); Zhai Xiaochuan scored 8 points (3/8 FG% 2/6 3-pointer%), 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Zhou Qi’s block shot on Hamed EHadadi