Boomers teach USA a ‘lesson’ in big pre-Olympics surprise

The Boomers have piled pressure on the might of the USA in a performance that also raised red flags before the Paris Olympics.

The Boomers gave the USA a fright. Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP.

The Boomers have given the United States a huge scare in their Olympics preparation showdown in Abu Dhabi.

The Aussies made a late run after being blown off the court in the first half with Tuesday morning’s tussle ending 98-92 in the reigning Olympic gold-medallists’ favour.

There were some concerning signs for both teams - and USA coach Steve Kerr admitted after the game his team was taught a “lesson”.

Australia was led by Josh Giddey in attack with the newly-traded NBA star finishing with 17 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.

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Giddey’s classy performance overshadowed some other alarming sights to emerge from the game with Boomers coach Brian Goorjian having a lot of work ahead of him before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on July 26.

The Boomers trailed 65-41 early in the third quarter before things started to click for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medal-winners.

LeBron James guards Patty Mills. Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP.

Goorjian liked what he saw from Australia’s big men with Jock Landale impressing with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Will Magnay also boosted his chances of earning more game time in France, scoring eight points in his 11 minutes on the court.

Excitement machine Duop Reath was given just two minutes.

He will be one of many Aussies hoping to see more game time when the Boomers take on Serbia on Wednesday morning.

The USA Team was far from polished, but still put on a show.

Anthony Davis was the USA’s top scorer with 17 points while Devin Booker also put up 16.

LeBron James had a hard night at the office in comparison, finishing with 10 points, shooting three from eight.

USA coach Steve Kerr turned up the heat on Australia early in the third quarter when he turned to his bench. However, Goorjian’s men turned the tide before the end of the third quarter.

“Third quarter, we started turning the ball over,” Kerr said.

“We gave up a ton of points at the basket. Back cuts, offensive boards and so, the game shifted.

“It’s a good lesson for us. Better to learn that lesson now than later. And this will be a good tape for us to watch. But I give Australia a ton of credit. They were great. They fought. They were really physical. Took it to us in the last quarter and a half and really made it a game.”

Both teams have plenty to work on in the precious few days they have before their Olympic campaigns begin.

Josh Giddey caught fire in the second quarter and didn’t look back. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Team USA got a scare. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Will Magnay was solid. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Goorjian said after the game there were a lot of good signs to emerge from the game.

The Aussies struggled from outside the arc, but Goorjian said he isn’t worried because of how the USA set up defensively.

Australia shot at just 22 per cent from long range. Giddey missed his sole attempt while Patty Mills hit just one from five.

“I just think he (Giddey) is an incredible passer,” Goorjian said.

“They were playing Patty and the perimeter guys really, really tight and slipping out of those on-balls after ball movement really gave us opportunities around the basket.

“I thought Jock Landale, Will Magnay did a really good job and I thought we got them on roll outs and they were spread because they were pressuring our perimeter so hard.”

With the roles of veteran stars like Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova still unclear, Goorjian has some big calls to make.

Mills’ position will also be hotly debated after his poor shooting around the arc.

Australia was -16 on the scoresheets while Mills was on the floor.

Aussie shooter Josh Green, meanwhile, only got three shots off the whole game while starting off the bench.

Originally published as Boomers teach USA a ‘lesson’ in big pre-Olympics surprise