Boomers go down swinging with 'Aussie rules' foul as Canada's stars hand Australia first loss
Updated . First published at
The Boomers have suffered their first loss at the Olympics as Canada's star-studded squad flexed their muscles in a 93-83 comeback win.
Australia led at halftime in Lille on Tuesday but Canada showed why they are viewed as genuine gold medal contenders by ratcheting up the intensity in a highly impressive second half.
The Boomers are now 1-1 in the 'pool of death' with Friday's final Group A clash with Giannis Antetokounmpo's 0-2 Greece now a must win.
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RJ Barrett led Canada with 24 points while Josh Giddey paced Australia with 19.
"They (Canada) came out of the blocks harder to start the fourth (quarter) and Australia's scoring dried up," Andrew Gaze said on Nine.
"Australia have been really pushed out of their their sets and paid the price of having to settle for some tough shots. A couple of sloppy turnovers. But give Canada a lot of credit. They forced a lot of that action with their elite athleticism."
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The Boomers frustrations were summed up when talisman Patty Mills dropped Lu Dort with a fourth quarter blocking foul.
"That Aussie rules background. Patty Mills, a hip and shoulder on Lu Dort who sold it well," Brenton Speed said on Nine.
Barrett also had seven rebounds as Canada stayed unbeaten in group play.
Patty Mills drops Lu Dort with a blocking foul. Nine
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 16 points as Canada improved to 2-0 and remained on track to advance when the tournament field is trimmed from 12 to eight teams and shifts to Paris next week for the knockout stage.
"They're hungry for a win and hungry to stay in the tournament," Boomers guard Dante Exum said of facing Greece.
"So we need to be ready and do as much."
