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KAYSERI, Turkey: China produced some of their best form of the World Basketball Championships on Tuesday but it still was not enough to upset an in-form Lithuanian team who prevailed 78-67.
Washington Wizards' Yi Jianlian was a welcome return to China's starting line-up after sitting out the previous game and having earlier been declared as an unlikely starter for Tuesday's last 16 date with Lithuania.
China began well, establishing a lead by as much as 11 points but like they have in so many other game in this tournament Lithuania came surging back to be down by just five at the end of the first quarter, 22-17.
Midway through the second quarter, China's early lead had dried up completely as Lithuania were able to overtake the Chinese to be ahead 43-40 at half time.
Both teams shared the point scoring duties in the first half with no players appearing in double figures at half-time.
With five minutes remaining, China looked like staging a famous late comeback, pulling Lithuania's lead back to just five points. But their efforts would prove to be in vein as Lithuania refused to falter winning 78-67.
Linas Kleiza provided the ammunition for Lithuania, scoring 13 final quarter points to take his match tally to 30.
Wei Lu was the best Chinese performer with 21 points while Yi contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds. - AFP/fa
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