Olympics: Boomers destroy Lithuania, move onto the semi-finals
The Boomers believe. And you should too!
Australia have the basketball world talking, and with another dominant win over a powerhouse team, the Boomers are proving they are legitimate.
The Boomers were on from the get go. Aron Baynes set the tone on the first possession by forcing Lithuania into an offensive foul by stepping up and taking the charge. On the other end, Matthew Dellavedova was left open and made the triple count.
On the next trip down, Ingles drove to the basket and kicked it out to a waiting Delly, who once again, drained the triple. In the opening 4 minutes of the game, Lithuania had committed 3 offensive fouls, a result of Australia's tough defence and commitment to the contest.
Patty Mills got it going from deep (11 first quarter points), and the Boomers skipped out to a 21-13 lead after David Andersen hit 2/3 free throws with two minutes remaining in the quarter.
Good start by Boomers- Mills hits his 2nd three! #AUS 16 - #LTU 9 | Men's #Basketball live on 7mate & app #7Olympics https://t.co/zCTvSFkZH2
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 17, 2016
A DELLY BUZZER BEATER quickly put more breathing space between the Boomers and at the end of the first quarter, Australia led 26-17.
THREE POINTER! Delly's third of the match ends 1st quarter in style!#Basketball live: 7 & https://t.co/zZ3mztbRwM https://t.co/Y9FW1Ndp19
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 17, 2016
A nice lay-up by Mills, off a beautiful pass from Ryan Broekhoff got things going in the second quarter.
To say Australia's offence was running smoothly would be an understatement. Aggressive drives to the basket and incredible team chemistry was allowing the Boomers to score at will.
With Dellavedova receiving some medical attention on the bench, Damian Martin did his best Delly impersonation - throwing alley-oops to Bogut.
"Look at him climb up stairs" - @andrewbogut flying! #AUS 36-22 #LTU#Basketball live: 7 & https://t.co/zZ3mztbRwM https://t.co/UsiVdQzN8P
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 17, 2016
A Broekhoff triple pushed Australia's lead out to 17 points with four minutes remaining in the second. When Ingles grabbed the steal and finished on the other end, Australia's lead ballooned out to a massive 46-24 buffer.
Lithuania wasn't taking care of the ball and their 13 first half turnovers allowed the Boomers to run quick transition offence. At the half, Australia lead 48-30. The backcourt of Dellavedova and Mills combined for 31 first half points on 7/12 shooting from deep.
Lithuania shot a woeful 16% from deep in the first half, compared to Australia's 50%.
Strong contributions from Martin and Kevin Lisch were key for the Boomers, allowing Mills and Dellavedova to take a rest, whilst maintaining a strong lead.
Lithuania's offence looked sharper from the outset in the third quarter, quickly cutting the lead to 14 points. A Baynes and-1, courtesy of a great pass from Bogut, stopped the Lithuania's momentum in its tracks.
Jonas Maciulis committed his fourth personal foul early in the third quarter, forcing him to sit just as he was starting to look dangerous. Mantas Kalnietis was doing his best to keep Lithuania in the contest, driving to the basket and looking for his offence. But it wasn't enough.
Every time Lithuania looked to challenge, the Boomers had the answers and hit back even harder. This was noticeably zapping the life out of the Lithuanians.
Another big dunk by that "very, very solid man" @aronbaynes! #AUS 57-41 #LTU#Basketball https://t.co/zZ3mztbRwM https://t.co/jpukcD7xID
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 17, 2016
The holes in Lithuania's defence were horrible, and the Boomers were taking advantage of this.
Mills' catch-and-shoot triple with just over 3 minutes remaining once again gave Australia a very comfortable lead; 62-43. From there, the lead kept on growing and after three quarters the Boomers led 70-43.
Baynes was feasting inside, and checked out with 7 minutes remaining in the game, finishing with 16 points (7/9 shooting), 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Mills continued on his merry way, hitting from deep as he pleased.
This pass from Bogut further strengthens his case for being the best big-man passer in the world.
Showtime! #AUS 84 - #LTU 56 | Men's #Basketball QF live on 7 & https://t.co/zZ3mzsUgFe #7Olympics https://t.co/kurIresMqe
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 17, 2016
With the hard work done early, Lemanis went to his bench in the final quarter. Once again, the reserves stood tall and delivered the goods.
The 90-64 win showcased the confidence and self-belief within this team. The Boomers truly believe they can beat anyone.
Mills top-scored with 24 points, whilst Dellavedova scored 15. Bogut continued his terrific form with a stat-sheet stuffing performance, finishing with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
A huge amount of credit has to be given to coach Andrej Lemanis. He has the Boomers playing beautiful team basketball; no egos, no complacency, belief and a hunger that all Australians should be proud of.
The Boomers are not content with a semi-finals berth, they want more and I can't wait to see what the rest of the tournament brings us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ScvOJXKoHY