The United States eased past China 121-90 in Sapporo yesterday for its second win in two days at the 2006 World Men's Basketball Championship.

The American team, consisting of NBA stars, were just stronger, quicker and sharper than the Asian champions. They jumped to a 32-17 lead after the first quarter and improved to 63-38 at the half time.

Wang Shipeng had eight points in a row and Yao Ming added two in the opening of the third quarter to cut their deficit to 63-48,only to see the United States surge away again with a 25-8 run.

"I am impressed with the courage China showed in the game," said the US head coach Mike Krzyzewski. "We played good defense tonight, but China still made a lot of three-pointers."

Dwayne Wade came from the bench to score 26 points for the United States while Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard added 16 apiece. Lebron James, Chris Paul, Joe Johnson and Elton Brand also scored in double digits.

Yao contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks for China before fouled out halfway in the fourth quarter. Wang Shipeng finished with 16 points.

Former NBA player Wang Zhizhi replaced Yi Jianlian to start for China, but he just had two points in 12 minutes.

"We had great expectation of him, we supported him and put him in the starting line-up, but he was not in shape," said China's head coach Jonas Kazlauskas. "It's like we got one finger broken out the 10 we have."

Yi came from the bench to record 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

The United States had 23 steals while the Chinese made 25 turnovers.