ORLEANS (FRANCE) – The Aussies have moved their preparation campaign to its final stage in France after solid performances in Abu Dhabi, where they challenged Team USA and defeated Serbia. Their core of players has been set for some time, and now they're just putting the finishing touches on their tactics and gaining a new spark of confidence.
Puerto Rico is starting their second preparation campaign of the eventful summer. They lost to Greece earlier this week and are now facing other strong opponents to help them improve and qualify for the Olympic playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Australia built a double-digit lead in the second quarter and never looked back, securing a confident 90-75 victory.
The story of the game
Josh Giddey had a turnover just one minute into the opening quarter, but that was one of the few mistakes he made in the game. After Puerto Rico underestimated his long-distance shooting, Giddey made them pay. The OQT winners stayed competitive thanks to Ismael Romero's work in the paint and their ability to run the floor.
Josh Green and his three-point shooting could be a game-changer for the Boomers this summer. In addition to his perimeter threat, he's one of the few players on the team eager to run the floor, as he demonstrated in the second period. The Boomers took a 15-point lead into halftime.
Puerto Rico managed to close the gap to single digits in the fourth quarter, but a three-point explosion from Mills and Ingles blew the game open once more.
The player of the game
Josh Giddey had an average-at-best NBA playoff campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was traded to the Chicago Bulls later this summer for a fresh start. He should come to Illinois full of confidence after a solid Olympic campaign with the Boomers. Since last year, Giddey has been the team's main ball handler and offense facilitator. In the game against Puerto Rico, he showed that no opponent should underestimate his three-point shot, making 2 out of 3 attempts.
Overall, he scored 19 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in 25 minutes of action.
For Puerto Rico, Ismael Romero had 17 points and 7 rebounds.
The stats of the game
How do we know that the Aussies are ready? They prove it by moving the ball and running the floor. The Boomers combined for 30 team assists and scored 21 fast-break points.
'FIBA Patty Mills' wasn't shy about shooting the three, making 5 out of 9 attempts and achieving a +29 index.
The takeaways from the game
If it wasn't for the "Group of Death" at the Olympics, also known as Group A, which includes Australia, Greece, Canada, and Spain, the Boomers would be top contenders for Olympic medals. For now, they're just one of the four favorites to make it to the playoffs from this group.
The Aussies look like a well-oiled machine with great chemistry, and with the likes of Joe Ingles and Josh Green making their threes, they seem unstoppable.
Dante Exum left the game in the first quarter after a collision with Duop Reath, and Australian fans will hope the Mavericks guard is fully fit by the end of next week.
As for Puerto Rico, they need to regain their physical form and mental fire after their huge OQT success on home court. The former is probably more important since this team loves to run, and their legs don't look ready for that right now
.Australia face France on Friday in their last preparation game ahead of the Olympics, and Puerto Rico play Canada on Friday as well.
FIBA