FIBA World Cup: Team USA gets the Czech-mark; Day 2 takeaways
By Phil Watson
New Zealand gives Brazil a scare in Group F
At Nanjing, New Zealand — entering the tournament with the No. 38 spot in the FIBA World Rankings and playing without the nation’s star player in Steven Adams — gave 12th-ranked Brazil all it could handle in the first game of Group F play on Sunday.
The Kiwis hung 50 on Brazil in the first half and went to the locker room at the half tied with Brazil, 50-50, before the Brazilians took control in the third period.
But trailing by 16 entering the final quarter, New Zealand tried to make it interesting down the stretch, but could never get the deficit to less than seven points in Brazil’s 102-94 victory.
New Zealand committed 15 turnovers to only nine by Brazil, yet had an 11-7 edge in scoring off miscues, while also having a 17-13 advantage in second-chance points despite Brazil holding a 15-12 lead on the offensive glass.
Neither team shot particularly well in the fast-paced affair, with Brazil making 37.8 percent (31-for-82) overall and hitting 14-of-37 (37.8 percent) from 3-point range. But they were 26-for-30 at the foul line.
Former NBA player Leandro Barbosa scored 22 points to lead Brazil, while Anderson Varejao grabbed nine rebounds in 15 minutes. Cristiano Felicio of the Chicago Bulls had 13 boards, eight on the offensive end, but was just 2-for-8 from the floor with seven points and Didi Louzada registered four steals.
Corey Webster had 19 points and six assists for New Zealand, while Isaac Fotu dropped in 17 points and Shea Ili scored 16 points with six dimes. Rob Loe had 11 points and nine rebounds.
In the second game, Greece held Montenegro to just 16 first-half points, opening a 42-16 lead and cruising to an easy 85-60 victory.
Georgios Printezis led Greece with 16 points and Georgios Papagiannis added 15 points with eight rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting. NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks logged only 16 minutes, going for 10 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Nick Calathes logged seven assists.
Greece hit 56.9 percent (33-for-58) overall and was 6-for-17 (35.3 percent) from deep. Montenegro was an icy 34.3 percent (23-for-67) overall and made only 5-of-19 (26.3 percent) from 3-point range.
Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic had 12 points for Montenegro, while Nikola Ivanovic handed out five assists.
Greece can all but ice the top spot in the group with a win over Brazil on Tuesday.