Despite mounting a fourth-quarter comeback, the Australian men’s basketball team lost 98-92 to the United States of America (USA) at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
It was the first of two matches for the Patty Mills-led Boomers in the USA Basketball Showcase 2024.
Anthony Davis, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, was key to the USA men’s basketball team‘s success with a double-double, notching 17 points and 14 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Australia’s Jock Landale scored the most points in the match (20) while also making seven rebounds and six assists. Josh Giddey, meanwhile, notched 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the AUS vs USA match.
World No. 1 USA took a nine-point lead in the first quarter and stretched their advantage to 53-37 by half time. LeBron James and Co. scored eight three-point field goals compared to the two made by the Boomers.
Australia, fifth in the men’s FIBA rankings, turned the match around in the second half. While edging the third quarter by one point, the Boomers reduced the USA lead to only four points in the closing stages of the fourth quarter.
The Boomers outscored the USA by nine two-point field goals in the second half and restricted Steve Kerr’s team to only three successful shots from the three-point line.
However, the 16-time Olympic champions held their nerve and won the match by six points.
Since 1994, USA have now won 10 of the 12 matches in this head-to-head. Australia’s wins vame in 2019 and 2021.
The Boomers take on Serbia next on Wednesday. Headlined by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, the world No.4 team also have a star-studded roster.
The USA Basketball Showcase is an important tournament for the Boomers for their Paris 2024 Olympics preparations.
Australia, the reigning FIBA Asia Cup champions, had clinched the Ford Ballin’ 24 basketball tournament, winning both matches against the People’s Republic of China, before heading to Abu Dhabi.
The Boomers, meanwhile, will also be playing a friendly match against France on July 22, ahead of their Paris 2024 Olympics opener against Spain on July 27 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.
The Boomers squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics includes eight members of the Tokyo 2020 bronze medal-winning team.