FIBA World Cup: Team USA bounced by France in quarterfinals

Czechs bounced as Boomers advance

At Shanghai, Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs poured in 24 points, going 6-for-9 from 3-point range as Australia shook off a tough challenge from the Czech Republic to advance to its first-ever FIBA World Cup with an 82-70 victory on Wednesday.

Matthew Dellavedova of the Cleveland Cavaliers may have had a rough time getting going offensively for the Boomers, but it was his work against Czech star Tomas Satoransky of the Chicago Bulls at the defensive end that made a big difference for Australia.

Satoransky played 38 minutes, but was held to just 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting as Dellavedova made him work for every inch of space. Satoransky instead played the role of facilitator for the Czechs, dishing out 13 assists but also turning the ball over five times.

He finished one rebound shy of the elusive first triple-double in FIBA World Cup history as well.

Australia did not shoot the ball as well as it had throughout the tournament, hitting 43 percent (33-for-76) overall and going 11-for-30 (37 percent) from 3-point range. But an 18-8 edge on the offensive glass, where Nic Kay had five rebounds and Mills ran down four, paid off.

The Boomers had 14-2 advantage in second-chance points, which could have been big in a game decided by … doing the math … 12 points.

The Czechs shot 49 percent (30-for-61) overall and were 7-for-17 (41 percent) from long range, but hurt their cause with 16 turnovers to just 11 by Australia.

Patrik Auda scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting to lead the Czech Republic.

Chris Goulding added 14 points for Australia, while Kay had seven rebounds, Mills dished out six assists, Joe Ingles of the Jazz notched three steals and Andrew Bogut blocked three shots while scoring 10 points.