THE Boomers have further enhanced their Rio Olympic medal hopes after a phenomenal performance by Matthew Dellavedova set up a thrilling 95-80 win over Serbia.
Two days after upsetting fifth-ranked France, Australia claimed another huge scalp against the world’s No.6 side to maintain a perfect start in Brazil.
It is the first time the Boomers have won their opening two matches in an Olympic tournament and it came off the back of an incredible 33-17 final quarter, having trailed by a point at three-quarter time.
Andrej Lemanis’ team is now virtually assured of reaching the knockout stages and will head into Wednesday’s (Thursday’s AEST) blockbuster with Team USA full of confidence.
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Australian Olympic great Andrew Gaze described the win as “spectacular”.
“I can’t recall too many better performances from an Australian team,” Gaze said.
“If you combine that game with the French game we’ve never won two games to start an Olympics Games competition.. That’s two of the absolute elite, we’ve been able to beat.”
Dellavedova impressed with his trademark hustle and creativity against France, but against Serbia his scoring prowess was on show too.
The recently-crowned NBA star scored a game-high 23 points, including three three-pointers, and also had a whopping 13 assists to post a double-double.
Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova starred for the Boomers against Serbia.Source: AFP
“His ability to read defensive schemes and structures and find a way to exploit that is so impressive, he’s just a quality player,” coach Andrej Lemanis said of Dellavedova.
“To see his growth, i first saw him when I came on board in the national team in 2009, just to see his growth between now and then has been really fun.”
Patty Mills was brilliant again, also finishing with 26 points.
The win came despite early foul trouble for Andrew Bogut, who played limited minutes after copping three foul in the second quarter and another in the fourth - but still made a huge contribution with 12 rebounds and six assists.
Bogut said the Boomers’ historic start was no shock to the team.
“We’re very pleased but we haven’t won anything yet. This is where we’re expected to be, we’re quietly confident we should be in this position, but we have more work to do,” he said.
The Boomers got off to a flyer on the back of Dellavedova’s 10-point first quarter. But the Serbs, led by outstanding seven footer Miroslav Raduljica (25 points), worked their way back into it.
Australia's Patty Mills celebrates a basket against Serbia.Source: AP
With Bogut off the floor, converted their momentum into a 43-40 halftime lead.
Serbia came out firing in the second half, hitting three straight threes before Dellavedova helped Australia back on level terms
The Milwaukee-bound guard put his body on the line time again, copping a nasty whack to the head from fellow NBA star Nikola Jokic, but gave as good as he got, picking up his fourth foul midway through the final quarter.
The final quarter was thrilling but Australia pulled away as Mills, Dellavedova and Joe Inglies kept the scoreboard ticking over and the Boomers again received great service from the whole squad.
Andrew Bogut defends Stefan Bircevic of Serbia.Source: Getty Images
Aron Baynes also had a brilliant second half, standing up tall.
“As soon as the number was called upon everyone delivered,” Baynes said.
“It was crunch time, that’s what was needed. It’s great to see that and we have to keep it rolling.’’
The Boomers will now enter their clash with Team USA, lead by NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, brimming with confidence.
“It’s the ultimate test. They’re the best team in the world, the best players in the world, so we have to go out the with the right mindset to compete with them,” Bogut said.
“If we go out there and we’re intimidated by them, and try and get our shoes signed before the game and a signed jersey, we’ve got the wrong mindset.”
http://www.foxsports.com.au/olympic...a/news-story/512a1657b4f6765cf6fee141bc06587b
