Spurs Ex Patty Mills 'Major Offensive Threat' in Australia Win vs. Finland
OKINAWA, Japan — Australia is in the driver's seat atop Group E after a 98-72 victory over Lauri Markkanen's Finland squad in the first game at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Japan.
Despite the final score, Australia actually trailed 36-28 at one point in the second quarter, but used a 17-4 run to to achieve a 45-40 advantage entering the break. The defensive execution elevated at the right time and after a nervous start offensively, the team settled into the game.
"I just thought we started poorly and I just thought we stayed with it," Australia head coach Brian Goorjian said. "What we talked about leading in the importance of the defense, I just thought we were tremendous defensively. It started at the end of the second quarter and went right through the second half and settled down offensively."
"We turned the ball over and I think that was nerves," Goorjian explained. "Everybody's wound for this first one. So we settled down and played off our defense and rebounded and I was pleased. We got a contribution from everybody."
Former San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills and proved to be the star of the show. Mills led with 25 points, eight rebounds, and four steals.
"He's our major offensive threat... Everybody's been saying, shoot, shoot, and you don't have to tell him that," Goorjian said of Mills. "His confidence doesn't wane and as we're preparing for the game, we were running stuff for him.
"Forget that, we know the lights are on and we have total belief in him," Goorjian explained. "He's done it time and time again. We'll continue to go there."
The next match for Mills and Australia will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27, against Germany.
Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter primarily covering the Dallas Mavericks, but also the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic for FanNation, as well as the league at larger for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group.
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