Australian Boomers Big 3 Deliver In Game One

Patty Mills all over Spain in a Boomers Classic

Australian Boomers stomp all over Spain in a physical, fiery and emotional first game off the back of the Australian Boomers New Big 3 in Landale, Giddey and Mills. Unsportsmanlike fouls, hard screens and fights, this game really had it all.

Coming into this game it was seen as an unknown for the Australian Boomers. With wins in three out of their four practices matches the reality of winning a medal again and potentially going one or two steps further is seen as a true reality. The first task for the Boomers, Spain.

Spain currently ranked Number 2 in the FIBA Basketball World Rankings are seen as one of the teams likely to make it out of Group A and potentially be a team who can contend for a medal. They are led by Sergio Llull, Willy Hernangomez and Santi Aldama.

Australia had control from the start, finishing the first quarter with a lead of 31-21. The first quarter would be fierce with Australia and Spain playing very physical and it was clear that both teams don’t like each other. Usman Garuba and Will Magney would both receive unsportsmanlike fouls, after Garuba would place a hard moving screen on Josh Green before shoving Green in which turned into a scuffle resulting in Magney stepping in.

The second quarter Spain would start to find their feet a little, out scoring the Boomers 21-18 and closing out the half down 49-42 to the Boomers. Massive 3 point shots from Spains, Llull and Aldama really sparked Spain and kept them alive in the contest. The Boomers though would have a answer for everything that Spain would throw, Giddey and Landale, the new one-two punch for the Boomers would really start to flex their muscles and be able to hold all momentum for the Boomers.

Three Certainties in life: Death, Taxes and FIBA Patty.

After the Half Time break it would again be the Boomers coming out strong. Made shots to Landale and Mills would really hold the Boomers in a commanding position throughout the third quarter. Spain wouldn’t die wondering with Aldama single handedly keeping Spain in the contest with 9 points of his own in the third quarter. The overall offence of the Boomers would get them out of trouble with Spain clawing the lead back to as little as 3 points with two minutes to go in the quarter before the Boomers finishing it leading by 9.

The last quarter would start very fast for Spain, closing the lead back to 4 points early in the last quarter. Again it would be Llull and Aldama making big 3 point shots to keep Spain alive but the Boomers once again found the answers. Smart offensive sets ran by Giddey found open 3 point shots for Mills, Daniels and McVeigh and in the blink of an eye the Boomers were back out in front by double digits.

The Boomers would finish the game walking away winners, 92-80 lead by Jock Landale (20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists), Josh Giddey (17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists) and Patty Mills (19 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists). The Boomers new Big 3 would be critical in this win and will be a key reason for the Boomers winning a medal.

Listen to The Basketball Fix break down the Boomers warm up games and look ahead to the Olympics

The Boomers would be in control for most of the game, being in the lead for 39 minutes and 28 seconds of a 40 minute game whilst shooting 50.8% from the field and 50% from three. They would also finish with 20 points from turnover, 18 fast break points and 42 paint points.

The Boomers turn their attention now to Canada in what will be a fascinating contest and really important if the Boomers wish to advance from Group A. Three things are for sure though, Death, Taxes and The Boomers Big 3!