Boomers ride Ingles, Mills to Senegal FIBA World Cup great escape, but Lithuania lays in wait
Australia has ridden a stunning all-court performance from Joe Ingles and the second-half hot hand of Patty Mills to get out of jail against Senegal, but must find something extra as powerhouse Lithuania lays in wait. RECAP
Australia struggled to beat Senegal, now they face the ultimate challenge against their European foes Lithuania.
But only minutes after beating the under-strength Africans, Australia promptly shifted their attention to a blockbuster Group H clash against the sixth-placed Lithuanians on Thursday night (9.30pm AEST).
Boomers assistant coach Luc Longley wasted little time to light the fuse for the intriguing match-up against Lithuania.
“They are our nemesis,” declared Longley, who went to three Olympic Games with the Boomers.
“They’ve even tried to steal our colours (laughs).
“I can’t speak for a whole nation, but I think we are somewhat aligned as basketball countries and I would be proud if other people thought that.
“Unfortunately, most of my memories of Lithuania on the court are bad.
“The four times I’ve come fourth, a couple of them have been at the hands of the Lithuanians.
“The year that I didn’t play at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics because I had an ankle clean up, (Arvydas) Sabonis hurt the Boomers in the bronze game and we came fourth.”
The Boomers were sloppy against Senegal and they will have to improve to beat a powerful Lithuania side.
The Lithuanians play a disciplined style of basketball at both ends of the floor.
NBA big men Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers) and Jonas Valanciunas (Memphis Grizzlies) form a potent front-court presence.
The battle between Sabonis/Valanciunas and Boomers trio Andrew Bogut, Aron Baynes and Jock Landale will be fascinating to watch.
Lithuania also possess the ability to score quickly, which will keep the Australians on their toes defensively.
The Boomers battled at stages on the defensive end against Senegal.
The Africans opened the match with a 5-0 run before the Australians settled to go to the first quarter with a slender 18-16 lead.
Senegal refused to go away, forcing the Boomers to fight hard for their 36-33 advantage at halftime.
Australia picked up the tempo in the second half to record a vital win.
Patty Mills top scored for Australia with 22 points while Aron Baynes (12), Matthew Dellavedova (6) and Chris Goulding (6) added points.
Sharpshooter Joe Ingles has recaptured his finest form during Australia’s World Cup campaign but it’s his work on the defensive end that holds the key, according to Longley.
Ingles finished one assist short of the first triple-double in World Cup history with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists.
Asked about his standout performance, the Utah Jazz small forward was more worried about the Boomers needing to improve before their game against Lithuania on Thursday.
“I didn’t know that (about the record) and even though I do know now, it still doesn’t really bother me,” Ingles said.
“Senegal play freely and they are all six-eight, so I’m just happy with the win and now we can go and get ready for Lithuania.”
For all Ingles’ flair, he was particularly solid in defence against Senegal.
His vision and vocal presence helped Australia through some tough stretches.
“That is what locks Joe into the game when he is engaged defensively,” Longley said.
“He is really good then because he is long and smart.
“So, it’s really important for Joe to be alive at both ends of the floor.
“I would call Joe a cornerstone of this team because the nights that he doesn’t play well defensively, we struggle.”
Boomers big man Jock Landale has been the centre of attention all week in Dongguan – but not from the four Australian reporters on the ground.
Landale regularly gets bombarded by the 26 Lithuanian journalists, who are keen to talk to the Geelong product about his signing with Lithuania club, Zalgiris Kaunas for next season.
On Thursday, the Lithuanian scribes will get their chance to see Landale in action against their fellow countrymen.
The Aussie centre will thrive in Lithuania given his strong season with Serbian club Partizan Belgrade, when he averaged 11.5 points and 6.0 rebounds over 16 games.
Landale will put aside his Lithuanian connection on Thursday in a bid to beat them in what is shaping to be a classic World Cup clash.
Originally published as Boomers ride Ingles, Mills to Senegal FIBA World Cup great escape, but Lithuania lays in wait