BASKETBALL: The Australian men’s basketball team produced one of their best ever performances in Olympic competition in a 98-88 loss to the USA at the Carioca Arena 1.
In their 100th Olympic match, the Australians played with physicality, intensity and team-work to lead the USA by five points at half-time before the Americans found range from the field in the second half and dominated the offensive boards.
While they will be disappointed with the result, this was a superb team performance from the Australians that highlighted the talent, spirit and belief of the team.
As Andrew Bogut pointed out before the match, the Aussies were not here for photos and signed shoes.
And with scores of Australians in the stands leading the cheer squad, the clash of the two unbeaten teams in Group A became one to remember.
“We knew going into it that we had to be physical with them defensively and get them out of their comfort zone,” Australian guard Patty Mills said.
“The match is a big picture of why we are here.
“We’ve had three straight tough games, which has been great for us to be able to develop and get where we want to be.
“They’re a very talented, very athletic and long team and they’re number one in the world for a reason.
“We knew going into the game the way to compete with them was to do it collectively.”
There were ominous signs early when Carmelo Anthony, the game-high scorer with 31 points, drained three consecutive three-pointers to open the scoring for the USA.
But typical of the match, the Aussies were not overawed and responded with some big plays of their own, Bogut dunking from a Matthew Dellavedova assist then Mills hitting a three-pointer on the fast break for a 10-9 advantage.
It was a lead the Australians held for most of the first period before Anthony hit his fourth three-pointer of the period with one minute left to regain the lead for the USA before the period finished locked up at 29-all.
It was a physical contest, Bogut relishing the contest down low with DeAndre Jordan, while defensive dynamo Dellavedova also orchestrated Australia’s attack.
Dellavedova provided nine first half assists (Kyle Lowry led the USA with three), while David Andersen (13 first half points) was outstanding, hitting some clutch baskets.
Mills led the first half scoring for Australia with 15 as the Aussies shot an incredible 70 per cent from the field in the first half, and 63 per cent from beyond the arc.
But it was Australia’s defensive intensity again that would have most pleased coach Andrej Lemanis.
The all-star USA team was restricted to less than 30 per cent shooting from the field and, despite 11 first-half turnovers, the Aussies deserved their 54-49 half-time lead.
It was the first time the USA had trailed at half-time since 2004.
The USA was always going to make a run and, with the Australians missing their first five shots to start the second half, they regained the ascendency.
The USA led 70-67 at three-quarter time and, with Anthony lighting up the perimeter, the Americans secured the win.
Mills top-scored for Australia with 30 points, while Dellavedova added six rebounds to his 11 assists, but it was the offensive boards that will be of most concern to the Australians.
The Americans pulled down 21 offensive rebounds to Australia’s eight, providing an abundance of second-chance points to make amends for their poor shooting from the field (35 per cent).
“We’ve got things to clean up, the offensive rebounds really hurt us,” Bogut said.
“They kept a lot of balls alive. You give this team second-chance points and you have no chance.
“We need to focus on the little things a bit better. We did that for three and half quarters but when they get a little run going they push the lead out really quickly.”
Australia has not beaten the USA now in eight matches dating back to the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, but this equalled the closest they have come - a 10-point loss in Athens in 2004.
The Australians received a standing ovation at the end of the match and, despite the loss, if they win their final two matches against China (12 August) and Venezuela (14 August) they will likely progress as the second ranked team in Group A.
They entered tonight’s match in super form after wins over powerhouses Serbia and France in their two opening preliminary matches.
Those victories marked Australia’s best start to an Olympic men’s basketball tournament since 1996 and tonight’s performance will only reaffirm that team’s belief they have a great opportunity to win a historic first Olympic medal.
David Taylor
olympics.com.au
