Sport
18 July, 2024
Delly warms up for Paris with Boomers in Abu Dhabi
Matthew Dellavedova and his Australian Boomers’ teammates have warmed up for their Paris Olympics campaign with a solid week in Abu Dhabi, completing two spirited practice matches. Coming up against the reigning Olympic champions in Team USA and...
Matthew Dellavedova and his Australian Boomers’ teammates have warmed up for their Paris Olympics campaign with a solid week in Abu Dhabi, completing two spirited practice matches.
Coming up against the reigning Olympic champions in Team USA and Serbia, the Boomers split their two games, while also boosting confidence about their chances in Paris.
Australia’s first game was on Tuesday morning against the USA, and the US didn’t hold back with their best team, which included the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum.
Australia, however, would fight back from a 16-point half time deficit to get themselves into the game, with Dellavedova putting together a strong four-minute cameo late in the piece to help bring the margin back to a single bucket.
Dellavedova would have two rebounds, two assists and a steal in his time on the floor, but it wouldn’t be enough for Australia to win, going down 98-92.
Jock Landale would put in a strong performance for the Boomers, scoring 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Josh Giddey scored 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
On Wednesday morning, the Australians would come up against a Serbian team boosted by the presence of three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic.
However, the Australians, boosted by a standout performance from veteran Patty Mills, who scored 28 points, would power away to take an 84-73 victory.
Dellavedova would play his part in another four-minute cameo, hitting his only shot from the field, while also securing two rebounds, continuing what has been an efficient time on the floor since his call up to the Olympic squad.
Dellavedova and his Boomers teammates will focus on their crucial group stage matches, which begins in 10 days.
The Boomers will take on Spain to open the tournament on July 27, before reconvening on July 30 to take on Canada, and a game against Greece on August 2.