Australian Boomers vs Thailand - FIBA Asian Cup 2025 Qualifier

Nov 19, 2024

2 min read

Australian Boomers vs Thailand Prediction & Preview

The Australian Boomers take on Thailand in their third FIBA Asian Cup 2025 Qualifier on Thursday night in Bangkok.

Australia enters the game with two convincing wins, having defeated Korea 85-71 and Indonesia 106-51. Meanwhile, Thailand sits at 1-1, showing resilience in their win over Indonesia but falling heavily to Korea.

With the Boomers in commanding form and Thailand struggling against physical opponents, this matchup is expected to be another opportunity for Australia to flex its depth and talent.

Key Matchups

Australia’s Bigs vs. Thailand’s Interior Defense

Australia’s size advantage has been pivotal, with Josh Bannan, Rocco Zikarsky, and debutant Lachlan Olbrich leading a paint-dominant approach. Thailand, by contrast, has struggled to defend inside, averaging just 22 points in the paint per game while conceding heavily to bigger teams like Korea.

Thailand’s Perimeter Scorers vs. Australia’s Defense

Thailand must improve on their shooting (39.4% from the field) to stand any chance. Australia's aggressive defensive rotations will aim to smother the Thai shooters, forcing contested attempts and turnovers.

Key Stats

Points in the Paint: Australia averages 54 per game; Thailand averages just 22.
Bench Points: The Boomers lead with 47 per game, showcasing their depth.
Rebounding Advantage: Australia has dominated the boards, creating significant second-chance opportunities.
Shooting Efficiency: Thailand has hit just 35.1% from the field across their first two games.

Why Australia Wins

The Boomers have been dominant in every phase of the game. Their size, depth, and scoring efficiency, particularly inside the paint, create mismatches that Thailand cannot handle. Even with starters resting for stretches, Australia's bench players have proven they can maintain a high level of play.

Why Thailand Wins

For Thailand to pull off an upset, they need an incredible shooting night and to keep turnovers to a minimum. Improved accuracy from beyond the arc and an uptick in second-chance points are essential. Additionally, if Australia underestimates their opponent, Thailand might exploit lapses in focus.

Prediction

Australia’s combination of physicality and depth makes them overwhelming favorites. Expect a comfortable win for the Boomers, with their young stars taking center stage in preparation for their key clash against Korea on Sunday.