Basketball World Cup: Australia v Slovenia, Boomer’s side bet with NBA star Luka Doncic

NBA superstar Luka Doncic has had two years to stew on the most frustrating loss of his international career – and a cruel side bet with Boomers’ star Josh Green. Now’s his chance for revenge.

Luka Doncic online art with patty Mills

Boomers guard Josh Green is bracing for another memorable battle against his Dallas Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic – two years after Australia’s historic win over Doncic’s Slovenia in the bronze medal game at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Boomers kept their World Cup dream alive on Tuesday with a comfortable, if unconvincing 109-89 win over host nation Japan.

Now a bigger test awaits – a date with Slovenia and its NBA superstar Doncic in a must-win replay of the third-placed match from the 2021 Games.

The Boomers triumphed to claim Australia’s first men’s medal at a major tournament after six decades.

Green’s side bet with Doncic – stipulating the Slovenian had to wear a Boomers singlet to a Mavs NBA game for losing – made global headlines.

Man green and gold suits you well @luka7doncic 😁🇦🇺 https://t.co/IFCGOej2HG

— Josh Green (@JoshBGreen) March 30, 2022

The Sydney-born swingman confirmed he hasn’t arranged a new bet for the loser of Friday’s World Cup clash.

“Yeah, we haven’t come up with a bet yet . . . so that is still in the air,” Green said post-match when asked by Code Sports.

“At the end of the day, both of us are competitive, we’re ready to go, so we know who Luka is and how good of a player he is.

“But we’re going to do our work, make sure we do our film and we’re going to follow the game plan.

“Obviously there is history, but at the end of the day that is in the past and it’s about what is going to happen on Friday and I think we’ll be ready to go.”

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian felt like the weight of the basketball world was on his shoulders leading into the Japan game.

Ironically, it was the same expectation he experienced prior to Australia’s Olympic bronze medal win over Slovenia following a semi-final loss to the USA.

Patty Mills celebrates with his bronze medal after beating Slovenia at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Getty

Flash forward two years and the pressure returned following Sunday’s three-point World Cup group stage loss to Germany.

“And you come into this game and it’s like you’re coaching for your life and the team is playing for its life,” Goorjian said.

“The Olympics were at stake, moving on at stake and a fired up team that had played tremendous on their home court.

“So, I’m happy to move to this next stage with this group because I think we’re getting better.

“We’re going to have to be on point (to beat Slovenia), but I’m really excited that we get this opportunity.”

Australia head into Friday’s Slovenia blockbuster with a spring in its step after a confidence-boosting win over the hosts in Okinawa.

The Boomers were strong favourites, but they had to overcome a raucous home crowd that created a hotbed of national pride.

World Cup debutants Josh Giddey, Xavier Cooks and Josh Green led the charge for Australia with brilliant displays of FIBA basketball.

Xavier Cooks has emerged as a huge piece for the Boomers at this World Cup. Picture: Getty

Giddey had 14 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds at halftime before finishing with 26 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

Cooks was magnificent in the first half, dropping 14 points and adding four rebounds in just 11 minutes on the floor.

The former Sydney King and NBL MVP didn’t drop the intensity in the second half to record a dominant World Cup double-double – 24 points, 16 rebounds and one block.

Green, who started, had 15 points to round out a memorable night.

Goorjian hailed Australia’s dominant first half performance – which was fuelled by Giddey, Green and Cooks – as the team’s “blueprint” for success.

“I’ve talked a lot about the change from the experience we had at the last Olympics and we’re going through evolution,” he said.

“Some guys get spit out, some guys get moved in and three big pieces tonight – Josh Giddey, Josh Green and Xavier Cooks – are three guys.

“That’s what we’ve been talking about for the future of the team – because they’re going to get better with more international experience.”

Josh Green hasn’t made a bet with Doncic this time around.... yet. Picture: Getty

Australia also ramped up its trademark dogged defence – although they’d be disappointed to lose the second half 54-52 after restricting the Japanese to just 35 in the first half.

The Boomers now have a target on their backs after winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, but veteran leader Patty Mills has welcomed the extra pressure.

Australia also have to deal with added weight of every game from here being a must-win to progress further in the tournament.

“This is the World Cup – nothing is going to be handed to us on a silver plate,” Mills said.

“Everyone’s going to give us their best shot, we understand this is going to be hard. That pressure, we welcome it.”

The 20-point win over Japan also helped the Boomers move a step closer to an automatic qualification position for next year’s Paris Olympics.

If the Australians failed to beat Japan they ran the risk of opening the door for New Zealand to take the sole Oceania direct-qualification spot.

Both nations had 1-1 records heading into Tuesday.

Fortunately, the Australians defeated the Japanese to take their record to 2-1.

New Zealand faces Greece on Wednesday night and a loss would gift the Aussies their ticket to Paris.

Patty Mills reacts during the Boomers’ surprise defeat to Germany. Picture: Getty

GREEN EXCELS IN STARTING FIVE:

The Boomers opted to change the starting line-up for the Japan clash.

Green moved into the first five to replace Matisse Thybulle.

The Mavs star had been battling a left ankle injury, but has recovered and he makes perfect sense as a starter given his defensive presence, athleticism and shooting.

He also starred while playing in the starting five during Australia’s warm-up win over France in Tokyo.

The move to elevate Green paid immediate reward when he produced a four-point play.

Josh Green was drafted into the Australian starting lineup for the crucial Japan game. Picture: Getty

He looked dangerous every time he touched the ball while his aggression and activity on the defensive end was a game changer.

Buoyed by a boisterous home crowd, though, Japan went toe-to-toe with the Boomers in the opening exchanges.

The Japanese got within three in the first quarter thanks to seven points from big man Joshua Hawkinson.

This was as close as Japan got, with the Boomers surging to a 23-point second-quarter lead on the back of a 22-9 run.

Australia maintained the rage in the third quarter to open up a 27-point lead. Japan refused to go away, reducing the lead to 15 in the final frame, but the Boomers steadied to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

Originally published as Basketball World Cup: Australia v Slovenia, Boomer’s side bet with NBA star Luka Doncic