Rio: Relentless Boomers crush Lithuania to move into semi-finals

The Australian men’s basketball team has dominated Lithuania in their sudden-death quarter final, winning 90 – 64 after leading by as many as 32 points.

The Boomers were again led by their biggest names who produced all over the floor.

Patty Mills scored 24 points, Matthew Dellavedova 15 points, and Andrew Bogut playing the big-man point guard, racking up six assists along with seven rebounds to lead the side in both stats. Aaron Baynes from the bench scored 16 points and had five assists to continue his strong form.

For Lithuania, only two players scored double-figures, with point guard Mantas Kalnietis and centre Antanas Kavaliauskas scoring 12 points each.

The tale of the quarter-final was told by Australia’s tough defence, forcing Lithuania, a quality opponent, to commit 17 turnovers, with 28 points scored from those mistakes.

12 of those turnovers were in the first half as Australia went into the break up 18 points, and were never threatened by a stunned Lithuania who couldn’t compete. The Boomers connected for 30 team assists compared to Lithuania’s 14.

Lithuania’s big men, as expected, were good in the paint on both ends, but their shooters lacked rhythm, shooting just 27 per cent from range compared to Australia’s 40 per cent on three-pointers.

Australia led through-out the match, with Dellavedova knocking down a memorable buzzer-beating shot from outside the arc at the end of the first quarter to take a nine point lead into the first break.

That first quarter saw the Boomers draw three offensive fouls as bodies were placed on the line for the team in a sign of selflessness and absolute commitment to the cause.

In all, much has to be said about Boomer coach Andrej Lemanis. The team has been impressive through-out the tournament, and were far better than Lithuania were poor. While Lemanis’ sides haven’t always been as effective, things have clicked for the Australian side.

It’s the first time in Olympic history that the Boomers have won three-straight games by 20 points or more. It’s also the most wins they’ve ever had in any major tournament. It’s by far Australia’s best ever team.

Paddy Mills said after the game that the team feel like they can beat anyone, and in the form they’re in, even the USA will be hoping not to meet in a potential gold medal match.

That is getting ahead of the next game though, the semi-final sudden death match.

The Boomers will play either Serbia in the knock-out, which is expected to be another heated match.

Australia will be confident in that match-up, with their brilliant Olympic form showing no signs of slowing down. On the injury front, Dellavedova received work from the physio on his lower back midway through the second quarter, but was able to continue.

Dellavedova said post-match that he feels okay, and while the team has no preferences as to who they play next, both Serbia and Croatia are basketball powerhouses that will take a lot of stopping.

Serbia knocked out the Australian Opals in a shock-loss yesterday.

That semi-final will be broadcast on Saturday at 8:00am AEST – check local guides.

In the other matches, the USA juggernaut takes on Argentina, with the winner to play either Spain or France in the other semi-final.