The 2019 FIBA World Cup is under way in China, with opening round play running from Aug 31. to Sept. 5. While we closely track the U.S. Men’s National Team, here’s a quick look at all the action from FIBA World Cup play on Sept. 3.
* * *
Brazil 79, Greece 78
Memphis Grizzlies forward Bruno Caboclo took full advantage of FIBA’s international goaltending rules to save the day for Brazil in a 79-78 win over Greece. With 2.0 seconds remaining and Greece down by one, Caboclo swatted away the final of three free throws from Kostas Sloukas to secure Brazil’s one-point win.
🇧🇷 @BasqueteBrasil upset @HellenicBF 🇬🇷 in an absolute DRAMA!! #BRAGRE #BrasilGotGame
📊 https://t.co/6lozeLkGdL pic.twitter.com/Pv8FdTXTZA
— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) September 3, 2019
Former NBA player Anderson Varejao was the leading scorer for Brazil with 22 points and nine rebounds. Reigning Kia MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo struggled for Greece with 13 points, four rebounds, three steals and five fouls in 28 minutes of action. Greece and Brazil now are both 1-1 in group play with one, must-win game remaining for each team.
Australia 81, Senegal 68
Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles led the way for Australia with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 31 minutes during an 81-68 win over Senegal on Tuesday. San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills added 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting in the win, which advanced Australia (2-0) to the next round.
Senegal dropped to 0-2 with the loss. Zane Dalmeida led the team in scoring with 14 points.
Lithuania 92, Canada 69
Lithuania continued to flex their muscles in the group stage with a dominant 92-69 win over Canada in Dongguan, China on Tuesday. Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas led the way with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes. Lithuania earns a spot in the next stage with a record of 2-0.
Canada (0-2) was led by Kyle Wiltjer (24 points) and Cory Joseph (15) in the loss.
France 103, Jordan 64
France powered past Jordan 103-64 to punch their ticket to the next round. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tallied 16 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks during the blowout win. Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier added 13 points in 18 minutes. The win pushes France to 2-0 and punches their ticket to the next round of action.
Jordan (0-2) have been eliminated from championship contention with the loss. Dar Tucker led the team with 20 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
USA 93, Turkey 92 (OT)
Team USA squeaked past Turkey 93-92 in overtime on Tuesday to keep the team’s 55-game non-exhibition win streak alive. Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton was the leading scorer for USA with 15 points and he hit two clutch free throws in overtime to seal the win. Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner, Joe Harris and Harrison Barnes all scored in double-figures in the win. Team USA is now 2-0 in the group stage, which secures them a spot in the next round.
Turkey was led by Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova, who dominated for 23 points, 14 rebounds and a block. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Cedi Osman added 15 points and four assists. Turkey (1-1) faces a must-win game against Czech Republic on Thursday.
New Zealand 93, Montenegro 83
New Zealand pulled away from Montenegro in the fourth quarter to hold on to a 93-83 win on Tuesday. The win brings New Zealand to 1-1 before a must-win game against Greece (1-1) on Thursday. Isaac Fotu was the leading scorer in the win with 20 points and seven rebounds.
Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic led Montenegro (0-2) with 15 points and nine rebounds in 27 minutes.
Czech Republic 89, Japan 76
Czech Republic bounced back with an 89-76 win over Japan after losing to USA in the opener. Washington Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky tallied 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in the win. Czech Republic (1-1) face a must-win game against Brazil (1-1) on Thursday.
Japan fell to 0-2 with the loss. Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura continued to look impressive with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Dominican Republic 70, Germany 68
Dominican Republic held on for a 70-68 win over Germany to improve to 2-0 in the group stage. Victor Liz was the leading sscorer for the D.R. with 16 points, while Gelvis Solano added eight points and 11 assists.
Germany (0-2) has been eliminated from championship contention with the loss. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder led Germany with 20 points and seven assists in the loss.
* * *
