Bumbling Boomers’ Olympic hopes hanging by a thread after going to water towards Giannis-powered Greece
The Boomers’ hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals on the Paris Olympics are hanging by a thread after a largely abysmal efficiency in dropping their last group sport towards Greece.
Australia’s defence was horrible and their capturing was even worse within the first half earlier than they staged a comeback within the closing phases of the match to lose 77-71 at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
Their underdog opponents out-hustled and outmuscled them in each side of the sport within the first two quarters, led by their NBA celebrity Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Luckily for the Boomers, they’ll advance to the quarter-finals with a 1-2 file so long as second favourites Canada account for the winless Spanish aspect on Saturday morning (AEST).
In the event that they don’t, then this loss to Greece will probably be a tragic manner for the worldwide careers of Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova and coach Brian Goorjian to finish.
After the bronze medal breakthrough in Tokyo three years in the past, the squad has gone backwards – exiting the World Cup early final yr in ending tenth and both struggling or not even making the quarter-finals of the 12-team Olympic event regardless of claiming a false No.5 world rating.
After an encouraging win over Spain to begin the event, the Aussies did a good job towards the star-studded Canadians in dropping by 10 to them of their second sport however their last group outing was doomed to fail from their stumbling, bumbling and fumbling within the first two quarters.
Mills isn’t the shooter he as soon as was, which is to be anticipated of a participant who’s within the twilight of his profession, however the Boomers have little else relating to an outdoor risk.
Boomers centre Jock Landale toiled arduous within the paint however didn’t have the dimensions, energy or pace to decelerate Antetokounmpo – not that there’s any nice disgrace in that because the Milwaukee Bucks behemoth is among the most naturally gifted specimens on the world sporting stage.
The Aussies had been gradual out of the blocks and had been fortunate to path by only a level on the finish of the primary quarter.
Their capturing was ice chilly within the second time period and on the defensive finish, Giannis was having his manner with them near the basket whereas outdoors shooters Thomas Walkup and Nick Calathes torched them from the three-point arc.
Goorjian reached deep into his bag of methods making an attempt to inspire his workforce throughout two fired-up time-outs within the second time period however to no avail because the Europeans dominated 28-12 within the body to carry a 53-26 benefit by the primary break.
The free throw capturing was poor, they gave away expenses and had been consistently late on defensive rotations as Greece’s outdoors marksmen loved huge open area and time to seek out their vary.
Greece’s capturing lastly cooled off within the third quarter however the Aussies made little headway, edging them out 14-9 within the time period.
Trailing by 12 heading into the ultimate quarter, the Boomers lastly discovered their spark with Daniels and Mills getting them to inside 4 factors however turnovers at inopportune occasions once more stymied any likelihood to take the lead.
Giddey had a operating floater which might have levelled the scores with a couple of minutes left nevertheless it rimmed out and a few late threes to Vasilis Toliopoulos and Walkup closed out a well-deserved win to the Greeks.
Antetokounmpo was dominant with 20 factors on 8/11 capturing with seven rebounds and 6 assists however he didn’t should do all of it and his non-NBA comrades carried the flame for the Olympic originals.
Australia improved to a modest 44% from the sphere with Landale’s 17 factors and eight rebounds the standout efficiency with Giddey’s 9 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists curtailed by 5 turnovers.
Mills hit three of six from deep however his teammates had been a collective 6/20 at a mediocre 30% clip to sum up the Boomers’ evening of woe.
