Basketball fans watched an exciting exhibition game between Team Australia and Team France on Sunday, July 21. Team Australia won by one, 83-82, against a dominant Team France. Sunday’s game was the final tune-up for both teams before the Olympics. Team France was highlighted by NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, while Team Australia was highlighted by NBA guards Josh Giddey and Patrick “Patty” Mills. Both teams showed aggression on both ends of the floor.
The first quarter saw both teams exchanging baskets and leads before Team France snatched a 28-27 lead. Both teams continued a similar pattern in the second quarter. Team Australia appeared to allow Team France to take a 50-44 halftime lead. Team France came out swinging, but Aussies’ defense tied the game 63-63 after three quarters. Both teams played with intensity in the fourth quarter, but Team France beat Team Australia in an 83-82 heartbreaker. Read on for further details.
A Heartbreaker for Team France
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Team France was star-studded with stars Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama but dropped a heartbreaking 83-82 decision to Team Australia. Team France’s heartbreak was caused by them allowing an easy basket from Dyson Daniels to fall in the final seconds of the exhibition game. Team Australia took the lead for the one-point win.
It has been an up-and-down summer for Team France. Meanwhile, Team Australia has been consistently strong, losing just one game to Team USA, 98-92. Patty Mills is arguably in top FIBA form with properly defined roles. Team Australia’s consistent strength is the primary reason why they’re in the gold medal contender race.
Team France struggled to secure the ball in the final possession. As a result, Australia received two additional chances. Team Australia head coach Brian Goorjian called a timeout. Goorjian’s team executed flawlessly, as Dyson Daniels secured the win.
Team Australia’s Players of the Game
Despite missing a couple of crucial shots in the game’s final seconds, Patty Mills carried Team Australia on his back when they needed him the most. Mills scored 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting in just 29 minutes and demonstrated his consistent dominance in FIBA games.
And, despite struggling with seven turnovers during the game, Josh Giddey played a key role in Australia’s win with 20 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, eight assists, and six rebounds. Giddey and Mills were the players of the game for the Aussies.
Team France Aren’t Letting Loss to Team Australia Affect Them
As far as Team France goes, Victor Wembanyama was just two assists shy of a double-double after scoring 17 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Wembanyama’s final shot didn’t find the basket, but he seemed composed and upbeat after the game. Wembanyama told the media, “I’m not worried, we’ll be ready in six days.”
Team France struggled with ball control and committed 22 turnovers. The team down under had their fair share of issues, including when they committed 19 turnovers. However, Team France’s mistakes cost them the exhibition game, which went down to the wire.
But, on the positive side, Team France recorded 24 assists, which was one of their best performances of the summer and shot 43% from beyond the arc. Plus NBA star Nico Batum was great for Team France with four three-pointers made on five attempts. Team France’s encouraging signs can help them succeed in the Olympics.
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