WASHINGTON (AP) – Jodie Meeks scored all 19 of his points in the first half and Sheldon Mac added 17 as the Washington Wizards opened their preseason schedule with a 126-96 win over Guangzhou Long-Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association on Monday night.
Tomas Satoransky had 13 points and Jason Smith 12 for the Wizards, who were without four-time All-Star John Wall (rest). Bradley Beal, Washington’s other starting guard, had six points in eight minutes. That left plenty of minutes for the backups.
“We have some firepower off the bench,” Meeks said. “Guys are ready to play and ready for the season to start.”
Washington Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky (31), of the Czech Republic, high-fives Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Tyler Hansbrough, a seven-year NBA veteran and a member of North Carolina’s 2009 national championship team, led the Long-Lions with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Guangzhou missed all nine of its 3-point attempts in the first half and finished 3 of 19 in its sole exhibition game against an NBA team on this trip.
“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of these guys who have never been in an NBA arena,” Hansbrough said. “It’s good for us to come over here and play against one of the best teams in the world. We can grow from this.”
Meeks, one of the Wizards’ primary offseason additions, made four of five 3-pointers as Washington led 57-38 at halftime. He finished 7 for 9 overall from the field.
“He gives us a knockdown-shooter off the bench,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said.
Hansbrough had 12 points and eight rebounds in the first half against a Wizards team that came within one game of reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season.
“We’ve watched them on TV. Now we get to come to the court to play against them, ” Long-Lions coach Cui Wanjun said. “It (helps) not only the understanding of NBA Basketball but also helps to improve (our) basketball skills.
TIP-INS
Long-Lions: Former Arizona guard Kyle Fogg had 27 points and 11 assists. Sani Sakakini scored 18 points.
Wizards: Point guard Tim Frazier, expected to serve as Wall’s primary backup, did not play after suffering a left groin strain during last week’s training camp in Richmond, Virginia. Washington is also without starting forward Markieff Morris (sports hernia surgery) and rookie Devin Robinson (left foot stress fracture).
UP NEXT
Wizards: Host the New York Knicks on Friday and Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday before going on the road for its final two preseason games.
Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Ju Mingxin (8) dunks over Washington Wizards guard Donald Sloan (15) during the second half of an preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. Also seen is Long-Lions’ Tyler Hansbrough (11). The Wizards won 126-96. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard Jodie Meeks (20) goes to the basket against Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Gu Yuezhou, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Kyle Fogg (18) shoots against Washington Wizards’ Carrick Felix (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. The Wizards won 126-96. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Jason Smith (14) fouls Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Tyler Hansbrough (11) during the second half of an preseason NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots over Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Luo Xudong (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) shoots against Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Zhang Fan (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr., right, reaches for the ball next to Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Chen Yingjun during the first half of NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) hangs from the rim after a dunk in front of Guangzhou Long-Lions’ Zhu Xuhang (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball exhibition game, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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