BASKETBALL: The Australian men's basketball team are expecting Andrew Bogut to play in Tuesday night's deciding Rio Olympic qualifier against New Zealand, despite his late arrival in Wellington.
The NBA championship winner only landed in the capital at midnight on game day, having stayed in Melbourne to get treatment on his back after Australia's 12-point win in the first of the two-game series on Saturday.
He joined the team for final practice session on Tuesday morning and looked to shoot freely.
"He's fine," assistant coach Luc Longley told AAP.
"He moved around and looked good this morning.
"I expect (him to play). I'd be very surprised if he didn't.
"He just had things he needed to deal with so we brought him in late.
"One midnight flight versus another - they're both long and late."
Bogut played 21 minutes and scored four points in the opening leg, after having been rested from the Boomers' scrimmage against Melbourne United earlier in the week and final warm-up game in Europe before that.
His delayed arrival on Monday meant he missed a "short and sweet" session but was focused along with the rest of the team.
"They know they've got a job to do," said Longley.
"Most of them are pretty experienced travellers so it's really not that bad."
Around 4,000 fans are expected to fill TSB Arena on Tuesday night, with an Olympics berth on the line.
The Boomers need to win or lose by 11 points or less to secure their place at the 2016 Games. The loser will get a second chance at a repechage tournament next year.
Longley said the team were prepared for "war" against the Kiwis on home turf.
"We talked about that this morning, to not make the mistake of coming out here and thinking it's going to be anything other than a war," he said.
"On any court the Kiwis are tough - they proved that in Melbourne.
"At home in their environment, it's going to be a great game.
"The size of the arena doesn't have a lot to do with the energy - some of the best arenas I've played in have been small and full of passionate fans and that's what you're going to have tonight.
"It'll play a role, no doubt; the haka plays a role as well. That's what we've got to get our heads around and figure out how to beat."
Tip off is at 5.30pm (AEST).
AAP
