NBA standout Andrei Kirilenko scored 16 points and Russia remained undefeated in Olympic round-robin men’s basketball with a 73-54 victory over China on Tuesday.

The Russians, who opened Sunday by beating Britain 95-75, became the first team at 2-0 in Group B. Reigning European champion Spain and Brazil could match them atop the six-team table with later victories.

Kirilenko, who also grabbed nine rebounds, scored all but one one of his points in the first half to help Russia to a 40-25 half-time edge. The Russians stretched their lead to 61-39 after three quarters and cruised home from there.

Kirilenko, a 2.06m forward, signed a two-year deal worth $20 million last week to play for the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves next season along with his Olympic teammate Alexey Shved, who had 14 points and six assists against China.

He played last season for CSKA Moscow after leaving the NBA when a lockout over money issues jeopardized the eventually shotened season.

Yi Jianlian of the NBA Dallas Mavericks led China with 16 points and seven rebounds.

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