Joe Alexander, a rookie with Chinese background, stole the show of the first game of the China Games as he put the Milwaukee Bucks ahead for good in a 98-94 win over the Golden State Warriors in Guangzhou on Wednesday.

Milwaukee Bucks's Andrew Bogut, left, and Joe Alexander (11) battle the ball against Golden State Warriors' s Brandan Wright, right, during a exhibition basketball game at Guangzhou Gymnasium in Guangzhou, southern city of China Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. [Agencies]

The 22-year-old, who was drafted on 8th overall by the Bucks, made a baseline jumper to give the Bucks a 94-92 lead with two minutes to go.

Despite a scoreless first half, Alexander put the Bucks up for the first time in the second half on 89-87 to score 11 points in 16:49 minutes.

Alexander was born in Taipei and lived in Beijing and Hong Kong during 1996-2002. He played in the Chinese high-school league before he returned to the United States.

The Bucks trailed for most of the game after a 8-1 start as the Warriors' rookies played one of their best games in the pre-season.

Brandan Wright had 13 points and five rebounds, Anthony Mrrow chipped in 11 points and DeMarcus Nelson eight, who kept the Warriors leading until Alexander tied it on 82-82 in the fourth quarter.

Kelenna Azubuike had the game-high 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Warriors while Andrew Bogut had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks.

Nelson scored five straight points to tie it on 92-92 before Alexander's decisive jumper. No one managed a basket in the following games until the Warriors began the foul tactics in the last 30 seconds.

The two teams will meet again in Beijing on Saturday.