Former NBA Miami Heat center Wang Zhizhi, who came back home playing for Bayi Rockets of CBA, poured in 16 points to lead the home side, and guard Zhu Fangyu from Guangdong Tigers added 15 points.

China established four-point advantage in the tedious first half with a 31-27 lead into the half break. China cushioned their victory in the third quarter by confining Thunderbirds to eight points only, piling up 18 points lead and forced an early garbage time all through the fourth quarter.

The two teams will play next match in Macau on Nov. 18 as part of China's training for the Asiad showdown in Qatar.

In 2002, Asian Games host South Korea upset China in over-time in the championship match in Yao Ming's last game before joining the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets.

"Playing the defending champions of the NBA D-League provides our national team with a unique opportunity to improve its overall level of competition and gives the players the chance to develop their individual technical skills and talent," said Li Yuanwei, China Basketball Association vice president.

The move is also part of a push to help China's basketball team improve before the 2008 Beijing Olympics by providing greater exposure to top-level competition from outside China.

"This is especially important for the younger Chinese players who will play a significant role for the future of Chinese Basketball," Li said.

The Thunderbirds are coached by Michael Cooper, who guided the women's NBA Los Angeles Sparks to 2001 and 2002 titles and won five NBA titles as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.