The Boomers’ basketball World Cup campaign is back on track, Xavier Cooks setting the tone in a 109-89 defeat of Japan that sealed their path to the second round.
A shock loss to Germany on Sunday meant the world No.3 had to beat the hosts in Okinawa to avoid dropping into the classification for places 17 and below.
Reigning NBL MVP Cooks ensured that was never likely, dominating around the rim with 24 points and 14 rebounds off the bench as the Boomers notched their highest-ever World Cup total.
“You win a medal (at the Tokyo Olympics), first medal in history of this region and then you lose one game by a basket (to Germany) and you come in to tonight and it’s like you’re coaching and playing for your life,” coach Brian Goorjian reflected after the high-stakes encounter.
Xavier Cooks. (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
They’ll need to beat superstar Luka Doncic’s Slovenia, who they beat for bronze in Tokyo, and most likely Georgia in the next stage beginning on Friday to reach the quarter-finals.
If New Zealand lose to Greece on Wednesday it will also mean Australia secures qualification for next year’s Olympics as the highest-finishing Oceania team.
Elevated to the starting line-up instead of Matisse Thybulle, Josh Green (15 points, four steals) proved a powerful spark plug to ensure no repeat of their slow starts against Finland and Germany.
He had an early four-point play and was a menace in defence and transition, helping Josh Giddey (26 points, 11 assists) and Duop Reath score freely.
Joe Ingles (five points, four rebounds, four assists) added his silky touch as the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists assisted on nine of their 11 first-quarter baskets and 31 in total.
After scoring the side’s first 13 points against Germany, Patty Mills (11 points, nine assists) didn’t open his account until the Boomers had 37.
They led 57-35 at half-time, outscoring Japan in the paint 40-10.
Japan doubled their score with a 35-point third term as the game opened up and the full house lifted.
Naturalised American Josh Hawkinson (33 points, seven rebounds) kept attacking for Japan and found support in Mills’ former Brooklyn NBA teammate Yuta Watanabe (24 points).
But 20-year-old Giddey came again with a pair of calming lay-ups and a three-pointer as the lead never got lower than 13 points down the stretch.
“For our success, the small ball, the switching, the defence; the blueprint was the first half,” Goorjian said.
“We’re going through evolution; some guys get spit out, some get moved in.
“And three big pieces tonight (Giddey, Cooks, Green) … make this thing really exciting for tonight and the future.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
its either Canada or Spain in the quarters followed by the USA in the semi if Australia come 2nd in the group. Win the group its either Canada or Spain followed by Serbia probably.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
So its a pseudo group stage, with previous result was wondering why they were only showing two matches. Australia having a narrow loss to Germany leaves some hope they can get first place if they beat Slovenia and Slovenia beat Germany and Australia ends up ahead of goal difference.
Damo
Roar Rookie
I think that if we avoid US, we'll likely get Canada in qtrs who have bought a strong team and look good on court. Its going to be tough to get through the next round but I think we need to be realistic about our medal chances now. That Germany lost really hurt.
josh
Roar Rookie
We are second without a doubt, the German loss carries over. So we need to beat both Slovenia and Georgia. If we lose any match in the 2nd round we are out of finals contention. Seeing as Germany have 3-0 and so most likely will Slovenia. Meaning Australia and Georgia enter with a 2-1 record. The next match against Slovenia will be the match of their lives for the Boomers. No easy task, but we’ve beaten Slovenia before (Olympics for Bronze). Which even it does eventuate and we get through the second round, I think that puts us against Canada. If by some turn of events we finished first in the 2nd round, we’d have to play Spain (current holders). With world basketball so strong, right there no easy matches any more to make the medal rounds. So the German loss while less than ideal, really has made out prospects that much more difficult.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
This round was a bit weird, there is no difference between being first or second in the group. I suppose the format was caused by this hosting situation. The next group round, the thing that counts is to avoid the USA, if the USA comes first , Australia need to come first. If they come second by some Germany is one of the tournaments big threats, they came third in Eurobasket 2022, they have a good team I dont see why it was an upset.. Xavier Cook he did the job inside on Japan, its going to be tougher from now on. They need to win what should be two close battles with Germany and Slovenia, the other opponent whoever qualifies will be weaker. If they come second amd win the quarter final they will meet the USA in the semi not quarters. If USA comes second in their group then they need to come 2nd which is unlikely.