Boomers vs Canada Game 2: Basketball match result, highlights

Australia		Canada
2019 International Basketball series: Australia vs Canada, Game 2
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth
Match time: Fulltime
81	SCORE	73
17	Q1	18
13	Q2	15
30	Q3	26
21	Q4	14

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Match result:

The Australian Boomers were still nowhere near their best in Game 2 of the international series against Canada, however, they got the better of Canada by eight points in a much-improved performance at the RAC Arena.

While the Boomers were beaten by 20 last night and found themselves down by three at halftime of this game, they put a strong second half with Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova, along with Jock Landale, leading the way to get their side into the lead and then away with the victory.

Australia certainly aren’t going to win a World Cup playing like they did tonight, with plenty of improvement on their shooting and offensive spacing still needed before they compete with the big guns of world basketball, but it was a step in the right direction.

Canada’s offence saw them hone in on the pick and roll as well, which, for the most part was defended poorly by the Boomers.

Australia now get ready to take on the USA next Thursday and Sunday in Melbourne, while Canada head to Sydney to play New Zealand in a pair of matches next week.

Final score
Australia 81
Canada 73

Match preview:

A criminally underrated Canada will look to come out and spoil Australia’s Perth party for the second night in a row when the sides clash in Game 2 of their international series. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).

Australia were well below their best last night in what was a 20-point loss to the visiting Canada, but it was, in some ways, understandable.

For the core group of NBA players, this was their first game as a unit since the 2016 Olympics, and it showed, with the help defence poor and offensive sets inconsistent.

What was a worry was the way shots simply weren’t falling. Australia, as an offensive unit, are going to rely on players like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles going big time and time again during the World Cup, so to only shoot 20 per cent from behind the arc is a cause for concern.

While these matches are hardly the most pressing results for the Boomers moving forward, they don’t want to lose to Canada twice, given they will play this side in the World Cup.

Even though Canada did have the advantage of cohesion given they paved their way for a spot in the tournament with this group of players, it was an outstanding performance, led by Kevon Pagonis.

The guard gave the Aussies a lesson in structuring the offence, and while 24 hours isn’t a lot of time to turn things around, it’ll be interesting to see if Andrej Lemanis and his staff have made any subtle changes to the way they will defend Canada this evening.

The Boomers will also have Aron Baynes back tonight after he was rested for Game 1, although it’s likely Andrew Bogut will sit it out.

Prediction
The Boomers should be a lot better for the run, and if they can get some shots to fall, they will give a much better account of themselves, however, the surprising Canada aren’t going to be wiped off the court like we all expected before tip-off last night.

Boomers by 5.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 7:30pm (AEST) and be sure to get involved in the banter by adding a comment in the section below.

Game information

Tip-off: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth
TV: Live, SBS Viceland
Online: Live, SBS on Demand

Australia (expected)
Point guard: Patty Mills
Shooting guard: Matthew Dellavedova
Small forward: Joe Ingles
Power forward: Jock Landale
Centre: Aron Baynes
Bench: Andrew Bogut, Mitch Creek, Cameron Gliddon, Chris Goulding, Nick Kay, Jonah Bolden, Nathan Sobey

Canada (expected)
Point guard: Phil Scrubb
Shooting guard: Kevin Pangos
Small forward: Kyle Wiltjer
Power forward: Oshae Brissett
Centre: Khem Birch
Bench: Duane Notice, Aaron Best, Kaza Kajami-Keane, Andrew Nembhard, Thomas Scrubb, Melvin Ejim, Owen Klassen

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Scott Pryde

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Scott has penned over 3000 articles and is one of The Roar's longest-serving writers, covering a wide range of sports. When he isn't writing about sport, you'll find him umpiring at the cricket, or on the hill at Kogarah supporting the Dragons.