ORLEANS, FRANCE – After a solid performance in Abu Dhabi, the Australian national team moved their preparatory campaign to the final stage in France, where they took on Team USA and defeated Serbia. Their key players have been in place for some time and they are now putting the finishing touches on their tactics and gaining a new spark of confidence.
Puerto Rico is beginning its second preparatory campaign of an eventful summer. After losing to Greece earlier this week, they now face other tough opponents in a bid to improve and qualify for the Olympic playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Also read:
Tracker: Preparation games for the Paris 2024 Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament
Roster Tracker: Paris 2024 Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament
Australia built a double-digit lead in the second quarter and never looked back, confidently winning 90-75.
game story
Josh Guidy committed a turnover just a minute into the first quarter, one of his few mistakes in the game. Puerto Rico underestimated his long-range shooting, and Guidi made them pay. The OQT winners remained competitive thanks to Ismael Romero’s work in the paint and ability to run the floor.
Josh Green and his 3-point shooting could be a game-changer for the Boomers this summer. In addition to being a threat on the perimeter, he is one of the few players on the team willing to run the floor, as he demonstrated in the second period. The Boomers entered halftime with a 15-point lead.
Puerto Rico managed to cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, but three-point bursts from Mills and Ingles sparked the game back into the game.
game player
Josh Guidi had an above-average NBA playoff season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was traded to the Chicago Bulls for a fresh start late this summer. He should come to Illinois full of confidence after a solid Olympic run with the Boomers. Since last year, Guidi has served as the team’s primary ball handler and offensive facilitator. In the game against Puerto Rico, he made 2-of-3 3-point shots, showing that opponents shouldn’t underestimate his 3-point shooting ability.
Overall, he had 19 points, four rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes of action.
Josh Guidy is a key player for the Boomers
For Puerto Rico, Ismael Romero had 17 points and seven rebounds.
game statistics
How do we know Australians are ready? They prove it by moving the ball and running the floor. The Boomers totaled 30 team assists and scored 21 fast break points.
“FIBA Patty Mills” was not shy about taking three shots, making 5 of 9 for an index of +29.
Points earned from the game
If it weren’t for the Olympic “Group of Death,” also known as Group A, which includes Australia, Greece, Canada and Spain, the Boomers would have been the favorites for an Olympic medal. For now, they are just one of four favorites to make the playoffs from this group.
The Australian team looks like a well-oiled machine with great chemistry and with the likes of Joe Ingles and Josh Green hitting threes, they look unstoppable.
Dante Exum left the game in the first quarter after a collision with Duop Reese, and Australian fans will be hoping the Mavericks guard will be fully fit by next weekend.
As for Puerto Rico, they need to regain their physical form and mental fire after a hugely successful OQT on their home court. The former is probably more important, as this team loves to run and doesn’t seem to have the legs ready at the moment.
Australia will play France on Friday in their final warm-up match for the Olympics, while Puerto Rico will also face Canada on Friday.
Also check the following:
Roster Tracker: Paris 2024 Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament
Tracker: Preparation games for the 2024 Paris Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament
FIBA
