Serving as quite the juxtaposition from their first exhibition game, Australia couldn’t overcome a slow start in an 90-86 loss to Brazil.
Australia trailed Brazil, 23-13, following the first quarter. The middle quarters helped the Boomers get back in the game; they outscored Brazil, 58-41.
Australia’s seven-point lead entering the fourth quarter quickly disappeared. Brazil used a 26-15 scoring advantage to upset the Boomers.
Despite the loss, Josh Giddey had a good outing that displayed his ability to draw contact. In 27 minutes, he finished with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds and four assists. He went 5-of-9 from the free-throw line and 1-of-6 from 3 — despite both being low shooting numbers, it’s still an encouraging sign to see the 20-year-old draw consistent trips to the line under FIBA rules.
Jack White also had a much better outing compared to what he did against Venezuela. In 11 minutes off the bench, he finished with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting and four rebounds. He was part of Australia’s second unit that brought them back into the game with an energy-filled second quarter.
The results of these exhibitions don’t matter, so this was a golden opportunity to see how the new-look Australia team would look in crunch time with Giddey as the main ball-handler.
The first batch of results wasn’t optimal as Giddey struggled in the fourth quarter against Brazil, but that’s the purpose of these types of games. This can serve as a learning experience that can help Australia for when the games will actually start to matter starting Aug. 25.
Australia’s full box score can be viewed below:
Let’s look at highlights and instant reactions from Australia’s close loss as Giddey toughed out a 20-point performance.
Brazil is playing really well to start this game. They are playing fast/aggressive. A huge contrast from the Boomers first exhibition where they just simply overmatched Venezuela.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) August 16, 2023
Josh Giddey played nearly 9 minutes before heading to the bench. Scored 3 points and grabbed 4 boards on 1-of-6 shooting.
— Kade Kimble (@kadekimble) August 16, 2023
Jack White has 5 points on 2-of-2 shooting and has a steal. He’s been a spark in his few minutes.
— Kade Kimble (@kadekimble) August 16, 2023
Jack White did a good job of maintaining the energy in the Boomers first exhibition game which is easy to do in a blow out win. What’s impressive is the jolt he has given them off the bench in this one. White has to continue to play that active/energy role that he has thrived in.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) August 16, 2023
Giddey’s been using a lot more of a jail dribble in the PNR in these games, to get the defender behind him
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 16, 2023
Josh Giddey gets the offensive board to create a second look which he took up himself for the hoop and the harm. Another FTA for the kid.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) August 16, 2023
Not a great half for Giddey, still put up
9 points
5 rebounds
2 assists
3-8 FG
3-5 FTAJack White
5 points
2-2 FGA
1 steal— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 16, 2023
Giddey’s playing PHYSICAL & I love it
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 16, 2023
Josh Giddey will be checking in now with 6 minutes
Extremely close game, 77-75 AUS
Important reps for Josh
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 16, 2023
Big time 3 by Giddey to tie the game at 80-80 with 4 mins left
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 16, 2023
Tough night for the Boomers, but they've been done by shooting variance. Australia 9-33 from three (27%), Brazil 16-34 (47%), those extra 7 points have got them down 81-88. Might mean they need to switch lineups around for more shooting in the World Cup though.#WeAreBasketball
— Adam (@AdamJoseph____) August 16, 2023
Josh Giddey against Brazil
20 points
10 rebounds
4 assists
7-18 FGA
5-9 FTANot his most efficient game but still produced in Australia’s 2nd exhibition game pic.twitter.com/OAQI6khBa2
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 16, 2023
The Boomers fall short in a close one.
Next up, South Sudan 🇸🇸 pic.twitter.com/d9uF5yEISj
— NBL (@NBL) August 16, 2023
It wasn’t the most pretty game, but Josh Giddey toughed out a 20-point night for Australia
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 16, 2023
Oklahoma City New Kid Jack White played a much better game vs Brazil after disappointing vs Venezuela.
In just 11 minutes:
9 PTS | 4 REB [4 OFF]
4-6 FG | 1-1 3PT | 0-0 FT pic.twitter.com/sVjhnGsAmm— The Thunder Roundtable (@NBASkoolOfThort) August 16, 2023
