After getting their Olympic campaign back on track against China, the Boomers will face off against the hosts Great Britain tonight with a spot in the next round up for grabs.
With Russia upsetting Spain earlier today, the Boomers hopes of avoiding Team USA have all but gone up in flames. Join us from 5am AEST this morning to see if the Boomers can defeat the host nation and regain fourth place in the group and the opportunity to have Team USA sign their shoes.
After a pair of underwhelming efforts against Brazil and Spain the Boomers looked a different outfit against China, at least on the scoreboard anyway. In a do or die game the Aussies picked apart a Chinese side who if not for some of the greatest shooting in the history of western civilization from Wang Shipeng, would have suffered a much heavier defeat than the final 81-61 scoreline.
The Boomers were led by Patty Mills who again laid his fair share of bricks (8-for-19 from the field), but looked a lot more comfortable in doing so (may or may not be a bad thing). David Anderson would set the tone for the Boomers early, contributing 15 first half points before finishing up with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Joe Ingles would fill up the boxscore yet again, registering an impressive all around performance consisting of 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
The key to the Aussies performance was their stifling defense. The Boomers held the Chinese to 29% shooting on two-point attempts, using numerous double teams and fronting the Chinese bigs and restricting their influence at the rim.
The Boomers also reversed their invisible impact on the boards from the first two games and out-rebounded the taller Chinese side 51-36, with 21 of those rebounds being on the offensive end. Numbers which would have had the likes of Vlahov, Bradtke, Ronaldson and Paul Rogers taking part in a collective fist pump.
The good news for the Boomers is Great Britain are yet to register a win in the tournament thus far, which means there’s a fair chance they might suck. A win against the Boomers would bring them back into the fold though, and leave them needing just the solitary victory over China to advance to the next round.
The host nation struggled in their opening fixture suffering a comprehensive 95-75 loss to an undefeated Russian outfit. In their follow-up games against Brazil and Spain the Brits were a lot more competitive and could have easily forced back-to-back upsets, going down 67-62 to Brazil and 79-78 to Spain.
Leading the host nation is Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng. Deng has averaged 21.3 points, 8 rebounds and 5.7 turnovers per game thus far but hasn’t exactly done so via the most efficient means.
If the Boomers can force Deng into another ordinary shooting night and restrict Mensah-Bonsu and Freeland from catching fire, they’ll walk away with a comfortable victory and a spot in the second round. Given what’s on the line, the Boomers superior defense and the hunger they displayed against China, I see no reason why this won’t be the case.
Tip: Boomers 70, Great Britain 62.
Aljay
Guest
Wow, think I might sleep through all the Boomers gamesfrom now on if thats the result. Mind you, my laptop might not have survived th first half.
Worlds biggest
Guest
great performance Boomers and nice to see an Australian team / individual get a win against GB. Didn't realise the US were our qtr final opponents. Sheeeeeesh.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Well for one Wade and Bosh aren't even on the team, but in regards to this performance being good enough to beat Team USA, nope, not a chance.
Jason Cave
Guest
That effort might be alright against Team GB, but could the Boomers repeat that performance against the USA, which includes outstanding players such as Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Lebron James?
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Finals numbers. Australia 57% from the field, 54% from three, 92% at the free throw line. GB 43% from the field, 35% from three, 88% from the free throw line. Australia win the rebound battle 35-26 and commit only 10 turnovers compared to Great Britain's 16. Although a likely matchup against Team USA looms, It's great to see the Boomers advance to the knockout stage.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Our defense was manic at times. The Brits definitely lost their feet and fell on their face but our inspired play after half time was the catalyst.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
The Boomers Olympic dream lives on with what was arguably the greatest second half in the history of Australian basketball. The Aussies outscoring Great Britain 70-29 after half time. SEVENTY TO TWENTY NINE. The Boomers will play in the Quarter finals, well done lads!
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Patty Millions led the way with 39 points on 14-for-22 shooting. David Anderson had 13 points and 5 rebounds. Ingles 11 points. Baynes 10 points and 4 rebounds. Freeland and Clark the only ones showing a pulse for the hosts, finishing with 16 and 14 points. Luol Deng had zero impact, going 3-for-15 from the field for 9 points.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
50/50, we smashed them 70-29 on the back of a 61-13 run. I've never seen anything like it in Australian basketball circles. It's hard to put into words how perfect a second half we played.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
The Boomers finish off in style, topping the 100 mark. Boomers win 106-75
Eric George
Roar Rookie
Channel 9 viewers are still oblivious of this entire match. Instead we're watching highlight montages. How would you break this down in terms of collapse/comeback? 50/50?
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Joe Ingles getting in one the act. The Boomers have outscored Great Britain 59-18 since half time. Is this actually happening? Did I pass out and just dream all of this? Excuse me whilst I throw a bucket of boiling water on my face. Unbelievable! Boomers lead 95-64, coming up on 2 minutes to play
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Patty Mills heads to the bench with 39 points, dragging the Boomers into the next round in the process. After being thrown under the bus by pretty much everyone on the Planet, Mills has hit back at his critics in the best way possible. With one of the greatest performance in Boomers history. Sublime.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Mills now just 1 point away from Carmelo Anthony's tournament high 37 points. Matty Neilsen screaming "HE'S GOT NOTHING!" I'm not sure who's he's talking about but he's probably right... 87-62 Boomers, 4 minutes left
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Mills now just 1 point away from Carmelo Anthony's tournament high 37 points.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Boomers are now smashing the Brits on the boards, 32-23. Mills adds another three, up to 39 points now. Boomers start the fourth quarter with a 16-0 run. It's over! Let's go home Ladies and Gentleman! 82-60 Boomers, 5:41 to play
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
The Anderson/Neilsen two headed monster stuffs Joel Freeland inside. Anderson runs the floor and gets rewarded, doing it on both ends of the floor. The Boomers defense is possessed by a turnover happy Demon. This is getting ridiculous, the Boomers have gone Bananas! 77-60 Boomers, they might win this by 50
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
PATTY MILLS AGAIN! 71-60 Boomers, what a turn around this half. Mills has 32 points. He's finally turned the corner.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
I was about to throw the towel in and just go to bed. The old Pom choke job brushed that idea aside.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Boomers stepped it up on the defensive end in that quarter, holding the Brits to 6-for-22 and setting off a 30-14 run. Patty Mills led the way and has 29 points on 10-for-18 shooting. Freeland and Clark leading the way for Great Britain, combining for 30 points and 8 rebounds.