Pacers center Daniel Theis helps Germany advance through first round of FIBA Basketball World Cup
Earlier this morning, Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis and the Germany Men's Basketball team took down Australia 85-82. It moved Germany to 2-0 in Group E of the 2023 FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup.
That result, combined with Germany's 81-63 win over Japan on Friday, has guaranteed Germany a trip to the second round of the tournament. Even if they lose their final first-round matchup against Finland, which will be played on Tuesday, they will still advance.
Germany has been a threatening team this summer. They looked great during their exhibitions prior to the World Cup, only losing to Team USA, and they have opened the competition with some impressive wins. They clobbered Japan on the road, and then beat Australia — one of the favorites — to prove that they should be considered a contender.
Theis has played a big role in Germany's success. The big man, who plays center for the Pacers, is in more of a hybrid forward/center role with his national team. It suits him well. He's able to make some decisions on the perimeter while still being a pick-and-roll threat.
In his team's victory over Japan, Theis finished with 13 points on 6/8 shooting. He added six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. And he did all that in under 17 minutes of action. He is productive for the squad.
"Start the tournament right," he tweeted after the game.
Two days later, Theis and co had a much tougher foe in the Austrailians. But they were up for the task and carried a five-point lead into halftime. Australia mounted a comeback, but Germany responded for a three-point win.
Theis had nine points and four rebounds in the game, and the win punched Germany's ticket to round two. They will be in Group K, and second-round play begins on Thursday for the entire tournament.
Germany finished third in EuroBasket last fall, and Theis earned a bronze medal. His first season with the blue and gold ended in April, where he averaged 7.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Theis and co can win their group if they defeat Finland. If they lose, they will be reliant on point differential to top the group, though Australia or Japan could catch them in that case. Either way, the Germany squad is moving on.
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