Xavier Cooks (R) of Australia blocks Zhu Mingzhen of China during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
MELBOURNE, Australia, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Australia's men's basketball team finished an Olympic warm-up series before their home crowds here on Thursday with a comprehensive 91-58 triumph over China.
Seen as one of the favorites for a podium finish in Paris, the world's fifth-ranked team and reigning Olympic bronze medalists unleashed a 14-strong squad with an absolute majority being NBA stars, such as Dyson Daniels, Josh Giddey and skipper Patty Mills.
Australia's 2.11-meter center Jock Landale scored a game-high 19 points and contributed nine rebounds.
35-year-old Chris Goulding, with 12 points to his name, made four three-pointers during his 11 minutes and 58 seconds of play, while 21-year-old sensation Giddey hit 11 points.
Boosted by in-form sharpshooters and a solid defense, Australia moved ten points ahead in the opening quarter, with China plunging into a scoring drought in the second half of the period.
In the second quarter, Liao Sanning and Yang Hansen attempted to keep their team's dream alive with consecutive baskets, before Wang Lanqin delivered the team's first shot from deep.
A bombshell of seven triple-pointers extended Australia's lead to 65-34 in the third quarter. China players tried to fight back by scoring 24 points in the last quarter, only two points shy of their opponents, but that was far from enough to save the game.
China's Liao achieved a team-high of 15 points, with He Xining securing 10 points. Among all players, Yang recorded the most defensive rebounds with ten.
During their previous clash on Tuesday, China had ended the first half only three points down, but suffered a second-half collapse, with Australia ultimately winning 107-87. China's Liao scored a game-high 26 points. ■
Nick Kay (Bottom) of Australia holds the ball during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Brian Goorjian (C), head coach of Australia, gives instructions during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Dyson Daniels (R) of Australia shoots during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Josh Giddey (R) of Australia blocks Cheng Shuaipeng of China during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Guo Shiqiang (C), acting head coach of China, gives instructions during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Jock Landale (R) of Australia blocks Cheng Shuaipeng of China during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Chris Goulding (L) of Australia blocks He Xining of China during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Cheng Shuaipeng of China goes for a lay-up during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Liao Sanning (R) of China goes for a lay-up during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Will Magnay (R) of Australia blocks Yu Jiahao (C) of China during men's basketball match of the Ford Ballin' 24 between China and Australia in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
