Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Warriors' Ezeli scores five points in NBA Africa game
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, August 1, 2015 - 10:30am

BOX SCORE

JOHANNESBURG -- The NBA put on a show in its first exhibition game in Africa on Saturday - starting with a dunk straight from the tip-off by Luc Mbah a Moute.

That had the crowd roaring early at Ellis Park Arena in downtown Johannesburg. It got even louder when African NBA legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo stripped off their business suits to don their old team uniforms again and play for a little while in the second quarter.

The 52-year-old Olajuwon, in a Houston No. 34 jersey, pulled off a turn-around jumper - the "Dream Shake" - that had the current NBA stars leaping off the benches with their arms in the air.

"That's one of the most memorable experiences ever," said Chris Paul, one of the team captains. "I told Dream, if he's still moving like that at his age now, I couldn't imagine him in his day."

After a relaxed first half, the game got serious in the second: Paul's Team World rallied with a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to beat Luol Deng's "home" Team Africa 101-97.

"In the second half we decided enough was enough and we needed to do a lot better if we didn't want to lose by 40," Team World's Pau Gasol said.

Washington's Bradley Beal led Team World with 18 points while Paul had 12. Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpohad 22 points for Team Africa, with Deng adding 20.

But this game was largely about the entertainment factor, with cheerleaders and several NBA team mascots mixing it up with the South African crowd.

Even the timeouts were used for stunts: Team Africa coach Gregg Popovich took one in the second quarter that wasn't used for a team talk, but to give everyone a chance to watch fans breakdance alongside San Antonio mascot Coyote, Philadelphia's Franklin, and Atlanta's Harry the Hawk. Even Popovich, the five-time NBA winning coach, had a big grin.

At the start of the third quarter, Paul decided that was enough fooling around, hitting three straight 3-pointers to bring the "visiting" team back. Team Africa, made up of players born in Africa or with African heritage, couldn't hold off the late surge.

"We didn't finish the game. But there's still room for improvement," Team Africa's Boris Diaw of the San Antonio Spurs said, hoping for another chance to play for an African lineup. "It was an amazing experience. So proud to be able to represent the continent."

After Jeff Green's dunk and a layup by Evan Turner, Team World was suddenly leading 85-78 in the fourth and the South African crowd had a proper game. Team World led 99-97 with a couple of seconds to go when Green was fouled and made both free throws to seal the game.

The South African exhibition was the NBA's biggest step into Africa so far, and could be the pre-cursor to a preseason and maybe even a regular season game on the continent, according to Commissioner Adam Silver.

"For me, as a kid, (I wanted) to play basketball and never had the access to meet NBA players, or watch NBA," said Deng, who was born in South Sudan. "Now to be part of a team coming back to play for Africa. I can't describe it."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Morning Minute: Giants & A's lose; Kap talks rumors; W's schedule
Feinstein provides realistic expectation for Tiger at PGA Championship
Feinstein: Odds against McIlroy at PGA Championship
STL: 1-on-1 with A's radio broadcaster Ken Korach

Giants

NL West Watch: Kershaw Ks eight in Dodgers' win over Nats
Report: Giants discussed prospects in potential Utley deal
Rewind: Aoki pulled after four innings, likely headed for DL
Instant Replay: Giants shut out, fall 2-0 to Astros
Read More

Athletics

LIVE: A's vs. Blue Jays
A's Twitter takeover -- Eireann Dolan
A's lineup: Sonny Gray scratched, Crisp batting eighth
Rewind: Brooks stumbles for first time as Athletic
Read More

Sharks

Sharks Q&A transcript with Insider Kevin Kurz
Police confirm investigation of Blackhawks' Kane
Police investigating Blackhawks star Patrick Kane
Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
Read More

49ers

49ers O-line: Finding right players for right spots
49ers practice 10: Passing game has strong day
Lemonier replaces Smith on 49ers' first depth chart of camp
49ers plan to give Jarryd Hayne a lot of work in preseason opener
Read More

Raiders

Raiders' Cooper 'all business' heading into first game
Raiders practice 11: Malcolm Smith continues to shine
Raiders propose LA stadium plan for NFL owners
Raiders 'can't imagine' seeing Geno Smith-type fight in Oakland
Read More

Warriors

Warriors' 2015-16 schedule: Gentry, Pelicans in opener
Spike Lee narrates Steph Curry's story in NBA 2K16 promo
Newly acquired Thompson: Trade to Warriors 'God's plan'
Report: Warriors will host Cavaliers on Christmas Day
Read More

NCAA

Trail Blazers guarantee contract for former CAL star Crabbe
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

NL West Watch: Kershaw Ks eight in Dodgers' win over Nats
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

Giants Toe the Rubber: Stephen Strasburg vs. Ryan Vogelsong
Giants Toe the Rubber: Stephen Strasburg vs. Ryan Vogelsong
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Aoki pulled after four innings, likely headed for DL
  • Instant Replay: Giants shut out, fall 2-0 to Astros
  • Aoki returns, pulled after four innings
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: A's vs. Blue Jays
CSN Bay Area staff

A's VIDEO

STL: 1-on-1 with A's radio broadcaster Ken Korach
STL: 1-on-1 with A's radio broadcaster Ken Korach
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks Q&A transcript with Insider Kevin Kurz
(4)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks Q&A transcript with Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
  • Sharks still have plans to add to DeBoer's staff
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Warriors' 2015-16 schedule: Gentry, Pelicans in opener
(3)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

STL: Poole breaks down Warriors' 2015-16 schedule
STL: Poole breaks down Warriors' 2015-16 schedule
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings' 2015-16 schedule: Clippers at home in opener
CSN Bay Area staff

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Report: NBPA, Mbah a Moute to file grievance against Kings
(1)
Lieberman aboard Kings' coaching staff for 2015-16 season
(6)
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

49ers O-line: Finding right players for right spots
(9)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Looney: Kap looks more comfortable in fast-paced tempo
Looney: Kap looks more comfortable in fast-paced tempo
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • 49ers O-line: Finding right players for right spots
  • 49ers practice 10: Passing game has strong day
  • Lemonier replaces Smith on 49ers' first depth chart of camp
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders' Cooper 'all business' heading into first game
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiders Scoop: Walford connecting with Carr; Streater on mend
Raiders Scoop: Walford connecting with Carr; Streater on mend
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders' Cooper 'all business' heading into first game
  • Raiders practice 11: Malcolm Smith continues to shine
  • Raiders 'can't imagine' seeing Geno Smith-type fight in Oakland
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

English Premier League extends deal with NBC for six years
(1)
Associated Press

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Brooks stumbles for first time as Athletic
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Aoki pulled after four innings, likely headed for DL
(8)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers O-line: Finding right players for right spots
(9)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders' Cooper 'all business' heading into first game
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors' 2015-16 schedule: Gentry, Pelicans in opener
(3)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks Q&A transcript with Insider Kevin Kurz
(4)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Dodgers looking to sign toucan, vulture, eye-pecking falcon, drone

ENTER TO WIN A'S TICKETS!

more

Watch our A's Baseball Breakfast broadcasts to find out how to win free tickets!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

San Jose State dismisses WR after domestic battery arrest
Report: After assaults, Fisher bans FSU players from bars

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Morning Minute: Giants & A's lose; Kap talks rumors; W's schedule
Morning Minute: Giants & A's lose; Kap talks rumors; W's schedule
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California