Germany tops group B with third convincing win

Dirk Nowitzki (right) scored 35 points for Germany (Photo credit: FIBA)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, July 17) -- German super duo Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman dismantled the New Zealand Men's Basketball team in a group B clash on July 16 at the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men in Athens. Nowitzki and Kaman combined for 55 points and 11 rebounds, leading their team to an 89-71 victory.

New Zealand ranks 13th in the world, only four places lower than the Germans. They surprised the Germans at the start of the game with lights-out shooting from behind the arc, burying five three pointers to finish the first quarter with a 26-23 lead.

But New Zealand's lack of an interior presence caught up to them in the second quarter. With center Pero Cameron sitting out due to foul trouble, the team's defense quickly collapsed under the pressure of the Nowitzki-Kaman one-two punch. Not needing to guard the middle, Germany was able to defend the perimeter fiercely. The Germans outscored New Zealand 24-7 in the quarter and took a 47-33 lead into halftime.

New Zealand fought hard in the second half, starting the third quarter with a 9-0 run. Though they were able to cut their deficit to 11 points after the third quarter, they still had no answer for the German big men. Germany won the match convincingly 89-71.

Nowitzki was 14 of 22 from the field, netting 35 points. Kaman dominated the paint, scoring 20 points on just 12 field-goal attempts. Kirk Penney was New Zealand's top scorer with 29.

The victory gives Germany the top spot in group B. They will face group A runner-up Brazil in the quarterfinals on Friday. New Zealand will play against hosts Greece on the same day.