By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The long-awaited 2023 FIBA World Cup began, and what was supposed to be one of the most exciting games at the start, Australia made it a pretty one-sided affair, crushing Finland 98-72 on the opening day of the competition in Okinawa.
Patty Mills was the top scorer for the winning side with 25 points, while Josh Giddey flirted with a triple-double, scoring 14 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. Joe Ingles added 13 and Dante Exum 10 points.
For the losing side, as expected, Lauri Markkanen led the way with 19 points, while Sasu Salin added 13.
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Australia controlled the rebounds (41-34), had more assists (20-17), fewer turnovers (12-19), and twice as many steals (12-6) than Lassi Tuovi’s side.
Finland even won the first quarter with a 7-0 run in the dying minutes (21-17), leading most of the second period. However, the Boomers took control with an 8-0 run in the final moments of the first half, grabbing a 45-40 lead before the break, and never looked back. The game became pretty one-sided in the third period, with Australia securing a commanding 70-54 lead before the final 10 minutes, where they quickly widened the gap even further.
🇦🇺 This duo might be tough to stop
💪😤#FIBAWC x #WinForAustralia pic.twitter.com/IEMYYEYcbd— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
In Group E, Germany will meet Japan at 14:10 CET. In the second round (27/08), Australia will face Germany, while Finnish players will have a chance to redeem themselves against Japan.
Photo: fiba.basketball