Matthew Dellavedova and Thon Maker will turn out for Australia in the NBA off-season as they look to start the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers from the strongest possible position on a trip to Japan. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:40pm (AEST). It’s impossible that Australia won’t qualify for the second round of qualification, even if they were to lose both games in this final qualification window Of course, it’s not just qualification that’s the issue. With points earned from the first round carrying over into the second, progressing on the back of as many wins as possible is the aim. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share Australia are four wins from their four games so far, getting the better of Chinese Taipei home and away, as well as the Philippines and Japan at home. This final window of matches was always going to be the toughest though, with games away against Japan and the Philippines in three days, their game against the Philippines coming on Monday. The Boomers had no trouble at home against Japan, picking up a big 24-point win last November, but playing away may cause more issues. Asian nations have a habit of packing arenas and making it tough on opposing teams, but the NBL squad had a successful trip to China in the last few weeks ago, so confidence will be high. Where they will excel is with their height advantage. In the paint, Maker, Angus Brandt and Daniel Kickert (likely to come from the bench) will lead the way and should dominate the glass, as they have done in all four of their matches so far. On the other foot, Japan may find it hard to score through the ruthless defence of Dellavaedova and their inside men. If the Japanese are going to win, it’s going to take some great creativity and a willingness to scrap in the paint. Advertisement Advertisement Despite being yet to win a game in this qualification campaign, their two losses at home (by six to the Philippines and one to Chinese Taipei) were close and hard-fought battles, something they will be looking to replicate here in a desperate bid to qualify. Japan are likely to need wins in both of their games, so will come out swinging here, but it just doesn’t seem all that likely even if star guard Ryusei Shinoyama has a blinder. Prediction With Dellavedova and Maker back, as well as a more or less full strength NBL line-up, the Aussies will crush Japan by a pretty similar margin to their first outing. Australia by 25. Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this FIBA World Cup qualifier from 8:40pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.<doc-sep>The Rui Hachimura hype train continues to run as the Gonzaga forward kept Japan’s FIBA World Cup qualifying hopes alive with a huge upset over Australia, 79-74. Hachimura scored 24 points. It was the first win for Japan, who improved to a 1-4 record, and the first loss for Australia. The Aussies, who of course feature none other than Matthew Dellavedova, lost the game after Japan scored four straight baskets within the final 20 seconds. Dellavedova finished with a grand total of four points. Delicious. International service is exactly what started to plant Rui on the mind’s of writers nationwide last year, especially after his crazy three point heroics against Italy. Japan ended up losing the game, but Rui made the highlight reel. Japan now heads into a crucial game against Chinese-Taipei, who are also 1-4.<doc-sep>THE Australian Boomers are back in action, after suffering an embarrassing loss to Japan. The next qualifying game for the 2019 FIBA World Cup will take place on Monday, and will see the Boomers face a hyped Philippines side. Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova were in action for the loss to Japan, and will suit up again for the Boomers, putting the two Australian NBA players alongside a host of some of the country’s best NBL talent. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the next matchup. WHAT IT IS The Australian Boomers will continue their FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and, despite having already booked a spot in the second round of the qualifying process, there’s still enough to play for. Points carry over throughout each qualifying round, so this next matchup — against the Philippines — is still significant. WHEN IT’S ON (All times are AEST) Monday, July 2: Philippines vs. Australia @ 9.20pm. HOW TO WATCH Monday’s game, against the Philippines, will be broadcast on Fox Sports 506. You can watch very Australian game of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers exclusively live on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW! PREVIOUS RESULTS November 24: Australia 104 — 66 Chinese Taipei. November 27: Australia 82 — 58 Japan. February 22: Australia 84 — 68 Philippines. February 25: Australia 88 — 68 Chinese Taipei. June 29: Australia 78 — 79 Japan. WHAT NEXT? Australia has already earned a spot in the second round of the Asian Qualifiers, so this next games is simply to add to their points total, which carry over. The Boomers are one of 12 teams who’ll play in the second round of qualifiers. Matthew Dellavedova speaks to the media during a press conference. Source: AAP The second round will consist of three different windows, with each team set to play home and away games over September, 2018; November, 2018; and February, 2019. The best seven teams — top three in each group, as well as the best fourth-placed team — advance to the 2019 FIBA World Cup. AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS ROSTER FOR THIRD WINDOW OF FIRST ROUND OF FIBA WC ASIAN QUALIFIERS Angus Brandt, Perth Wildcats. Jason Cadee, Brisbane Bullets. Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee Bucks. Anthony Drmic, Adelaide 36ers. Cameron Gliddon, Brisbane Bullets. Chris Goulding, Melbourne United. Nick Kay, Perth Wildcats. Daniel Kickert, Sydney Kings. Kevin Lisch, Sydney Kings. Mitch McCarron, Melbourne United. Thon Maker, Milwaukee Bucks. Nathan Sobey, Adelaide 36ers. *** Olgun Uluc covers basketball for Fox Sports Australia. Twitter: @OlgunUluc<doc-sep>
THAT was anything but a dream Australian Boomers debut for Thon Maker. Australia suffered its first loss in two years, falling to a hot-shooting Japan side in a FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifying game. It was a sluggish effort from Andrej Lemanis’ team, with the loss marring Maker’s long-awaited Australian national team debut. Maker, the Milwaukee Bucks centre, finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the 79-78 loss, but the story of the game was Japan’s frontcourt, who were dominant on both ends of the floor. Nicholas Fazekas led the way for the home team with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while the 20-year-old Rui Hachimura — a projected lottery pick in 2019 — finished with 24 points and seven rebounds. Matthew Dellavedova was also in the green and gold, dishing out eight assists, but struggled from the field, only finishing with four points in the stunning loss. “It was a tough one for us tonight,” Dellavedova said after the loss. “We didn’t play very well on either end, but you have to give Japan a lot of credit. They played really well, knocked down shots; the big fellas played well.” Chris Goulding was the lone bright spot for Australia, leading the scoring effort with 22 points. It was Japan who came out to a hot start, and led 42-33 at the half, thanks to the impressive play of their frontcourt. The Boomers trailed 77-74 with 20 seconds to play, and possession of the ball, but an ill-advised three-point attempt from Nick Kay led to a long rebound, and the game-sealing dunk from Hachimura. You can watch every Australian game of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers exclusively live on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW! Kay had 12 points for Australia, but shot just 4-of-19 from the field. “I thought we didn’t come out with the intensity and the intent required to play at this level, and, as a result, we were kind of on the back foot for a little bit in the first half,” Boomers head coach, Andrej Lemanis, said. “I thought Japan did a nice job of exposing us; they were aggressive. They moved the ball well and they scored.” Australia has already booked a spot in the next round of World Cup qualifiers, but will be extremely disappointed with their first loss since falling to Spain in the 2016 Rio Olympics Bronze Medal game. The Boomers will go up against the Philippine on Monday (AEST). RE-LIVE (if you can’t see the blog; click here!)