NBDL Ambassadors embracing the first victory

　　30th JULY

　　Sina sports-NBA D-League Ambassadors, trailing for most of the game, finally defeated New Zealand 87-84 in the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup yesterday. The NBA D-League Ambassadors tasted their first victory as New Zealand had two straight losses.

　　Before the game, both the teams lost the first game hoping they could get rid off such an awkward condition. Soon after the beginning, NBA D-League Ambassadors hit a three-point shot leading the team in advantage. Yet, Frank of the New Zealand team, made the hoop as well. Both sides were chasing each other. It was not long before Craig Bradshaw of New Zealand hit a three-point shot, the All-Star team hit a jump shot that lessened the gap. And later, Team New Zealand achieved a 5-0 run putting them up at 21-14. At the end of the first period, Team New Zealand kept ahead of the NBA D-League Ambassadors with 28-19.

　　In the following, the NBA D-League Ambassadors apparently enhanced the inside offense making it 31-25. But the New Zealand team made a 2+1 play and widened the gap. Facing the temporarily made-up team, New Zealand continued their advantages.

　　However, thing seemed to changed when the third period began when the NBA D-League Ambassadors hit a 10-0 run over Team New Zealand and dwindled the gap to only three points. After two minutes of no budging, the NBA D-League Ambassadors then buried a two points throw to make it tie at 53-53 with 3:18 left. And the three-point hit of Clay Tucker putt NBA D-League Ambassadors leading for the first time after the start of the game. When the third period ended, NBA D-League Ambassadors leaded with 4 points over New Zealand.

　　In the last period, the NBA D-League Ambassadors widened the gap with continuous inside offense and made it 70-62. And the New Zealand picked up their offense as well as strengthened their defense, closing the gap, but let the NBA D-League Ambassadors run away each time. With a perimeter shot of New Zealand, the game was again brought to tie at 81-81.

　　When New Zealand trailed with one point only, the NBA D-League Ambassadors buried two free throws at the crucial moment and won the first game in the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup.

　　(jewel)