- Boomers took on Team USA in warm-up match forward of video gamesÂ
- Showed loads of struggle in opposition to a facet that includes a host of NBA starsÂ
- Encouraging result heading into robust pool on the OlympicsÂ
The Boomers have almost pulled off a shock comeback win in opposition to a stacked US crew in their Olympic warm-up in Abu Dhabi, however will nonetheless proceed their Paris build-up vastly inspired by a spectacular show.
Having trailed by 24 factors halfway via the third quarter Australia minimize the deficit to 6 with 5:05 left after a 39-21 run.
Even after Tyrese Haliburton landed a brace of three-pointers, pushing the lead again to 92-80, the Boomers stored battling and twice trimmed the hole again to 4 earlier than the US struck late to win 98-92.
Jock Landale led Australia’s scoring with 20 factors, with robust contributions from Josh Giddey (17) and Dyson Daniels (14).
‘I give Australia a ton of credit score. They have been nice. They fought. They have been actually bodily. Took it to us in the final quarter-and-a-half and actually made it a sport,’ mentioned US coach Steve Kerr, who’s combining the position together with his put up at Golden State Warriors.
Australian Boomers level guard Josh Giddey defends NBA legend LeBron James
Jock Landale (pictured proper with the USA’s Bam Adebayo) had a enormous sport whereas stepping up as Australia’s first -choice huge man in the paint
The distinction was depth.
Australia’s beginning 5 have been Patty Mills, Josh Giddey, Daniels, Nick Kay and Landale, all however Japan-based Kay being NBA gamers.
The US started with an elite quintet of Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Anthony Edwards.
And they backed it up with Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis and Devin Booker.
That was the group on the ground when the Americans took a sport that was tied at 19-19 with 3:15 left in the primary and turned it into a 39-23 lead — a 20-4 run in a span of simply over 5 minutes.
By halftime it was 53-37
‘The energy of our crew is our depth and we now have to utilise our depth,’ Kerr mentioned.
Rising NBA star Dyson Daniels additionally had an encouraging hit out for the BoomersÂ
That further high quality confirmed in the willingness to attempt, and potential to land, three pointers. The US scored 12 three-pointers, from 29 makes an attempt (41.38%), Australia succeeded in 4 from 18 (22.22%).
The Boomers fought again by forcing turnovers, getting 25 factors off them in the second half alone.
‘Third quarter, we began turning the ball over,’ Kerr added. ‘We gave up a ton of factors on the basket. The sport shifted. It’s a good lesson for us.’
For the US Davis scored 17 factors and grabbed 14 rebounds, Booker 16 factors, Anthony Edwards 14 and James, Adebayo and Embiid 10 every.
The Boomers play their remaining warm-up in opposition to Serbia on Tuesday (0200 AEST Wednesday), additionally in the UAE.
