Basketball: Horvath returns in Tall Blacks win

Nick Horvath has returned from his back injury as the Tall Blacks defeated the Dong Guan Leopards 79-54 . Photo / File.

Big man Nick Horvath has returned from his back injury as the Tall Blacks defeated the Dong Guan Leopards 79-54 in the opening game of the second Four Nation Tournament in China overnight.

New Zealand proved too strong for the Brian Goorjian-coached Chinese side in a performance that continues the team's upward curve towards this month's World Cup in Spain.

Kirk Penney was rested by Tall Blacks coach Nenad Vucinic with Tom Abercrombie stepping up to lead all-scorers with 23, while Horvath made his first appearance since the recent home series against Korea and added eight points.

Tall Blacks 79 (Thomas Abercrombie 23, Corey Webster 11) Dong Guan Leopards 54