Dellavedova clinches Boomers win over Argentina
The Australian Boomers prevailed behind a gritty second half performance, and won the night against Argentina 84-83.
A clutch free throw line jump shot by Boomers star Matthew Dellavedova ensured the Australian National Men's Basketball team their opening win on their South American warm-up tour prior to the Olympics.
With just 40 seconds left in the game, Dellavedova received a hand off from David Andersen and used his screen to create enough space to drive to the free throw line and sink a dagger into the Argentinian crowd.
It was an intense game right from the start, with the Argentinian 'Fantastic Four' (Ginobili, Scola, Chapu and Delfino) started the first quarter action in Technopolis, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
As part of the preparation for teams heading to the Rio Olympic Games 2016, the match started with a packed stadium and a tribute to Argentine captain, Luis Scola.
Several current and former NBA players were on show, including Ginobili, Dellavedova, Carlos Delfino, Patty Mills and Aron Baynes; not forgetting possible others who will begin their walk down the NBA road.
The Australian Boomers started with a lineup of Mills, Dellavedova, Ryan Broekhoff, Brock Motum and Baynes, while the Argentinians went with Facundo Campazzo, Roberto Acuna, Andres Nocioni, Emanuel (Manu) Ginobili and Luis Scola. Scola would torch the Boomers in the opening stanza, finishing with 14 points (2 triples) and a solid start to the home side with the score 28-12.
Credit: Nacho Amiconi
Lacking the defensive presence of Andrew Bogut, the Boomers made an adjustment and fielded Brock Motum, Ryan Broekhoff and captain David Andersen, to shore up their weakened defense in the paint.
With this adjustment, the game drew closer at 23-18, with six points from Aron Baynes, who did not score in the rest of the game and played only 13 minutes, possibly due to a reported ankle injury. Argentina tried to keep pace but appeared disengaged; only Gabriel Deck (2 points) was present on the scoreboard. Argentine players Brussino, Delia, Garino and Mainoldi could not provide anything on offense.
Credit: Nacho Amiconi
Argentina's coach Hernandez valiantly tried to even the scoreboard with strokes of genius from Campazzo (8 assists) and a rejuvenated performance from Scola, but the Boomers' three-point shots began falling throughout the third quarter. It seemed like the game was getting away from Argentina, but they managed to maintain their tempo after much patience.
Another deciding key to the game was that Australia tripled Argentina's output in offensive rebounds (15-5), giving them extra opportunities in second chances (18-5). Credit must go to the Boomers front court, who held excellent rebounding positioning in boxing out. Motum, Broekhoff and Andersen combined for 25 rebounds this night.
Credit: Nacho Amiconi
The last quarter began with with the Boomers still behind by three. Luis Scola continued to give Australia trouble --finishing with 27 points and seven rebounds-- but it was the combination of Patty Mills and Chris Goulding's perimeter play, plus the execution of Matthew Dellavedova's clutch jumper in the final minutes which saw the Boomers secure the win.
https://twitter.com/traread/status/758117853245546496
Both nations now continue their paths of preparation for the Olympic Games. Argentina will play Lithuania in the closing of this #3Naciones tournament, before facing top-level rivals in the Super 4.
With a victory in the bag, the Australian Boomers move on to their next warmup game, and will travel to Sao Paulo to play Brazil on Friday morning (Australian time); game time will be confirmed on social media.
Box score: http://bit.ly/2afwQXP
Australia's notable performers:
Andersen 16 pt, 8 reb
Motum 14 pt (6/6 FT), 8 reb
Mills 13 pt, 4 ast
Goulding 10 pt (2/5 3p)
Broekhoff 8 pt, 7 reb
Dellavedova 7 pt, 7 ast
Argentina:
Scola 27 pt (5/5 FT), 7 reb
GinĂ³bili 22 p (3/6 3p)
Nocioni 13 pt, 13 reb
Delfino 7 p
Highlights:
https://twitter.com/traread/status/758112364075978752
https://twitter.com/traread/status/758110417562415108
https://twitter.com/traread/status/758104625761222656
https://twitter.com/traread/status/758098991695405056