DOHA, Dec 15 - China strolled to a 59-44 victory over hosts Qatar in the Asian Games men's basketball final on Friday, paced by former NBA player Wang Zhizhi's 28 points.

Wang Zhizhi(L) grabs a rebound during Asian Games men's basketball final. [Xinhua]

It was China's fifth basketball gold medal in six Asian Games, with their only defeat coming in Pusan in 2002.

Despite the absence of Yao Ming, who was allowed to stay in the United States with the Houston Rockets, China had the best of a lively encounter and their relentless attacks and tight defensive play proved too much for the Qataris.

China's coach Jonas Kazlauskas praised his entire team but singled out Wang for his "unimaginable" talent.

"The final was a really good level of basketball, and how we beat our opponents was a really big success," he told a news conference,

"We controlled the situation all the time, we played good defence, we made this win. I think this team can be stronger and better in the future."

Qatar came within five points of the Chinese at the end of the first quarter, despite squandering a series of chances.

The hosts closed the gap to 20-19 at the start of the second, but after 17 minutes, a sluggish Wang finally got on the scoresheet and helped China pull away to a 34-25 lead at the midway stage.

China continued to press in the second half and motored comfortably to the 59-44 win, with Wang scoring almost half the points.

Qatari coach Joseph Stiebing said he was proud of his players but admitted the Chinese were too strong in the end.

"They were too much for us," he told a news conference.

"They played a very good game, they really defended us, and it was a great performance by an ex-NBA player (Wang).

"I was proud of our effort as a team. I'm really happy for my guys."