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Chris Pike’s Boomers Olympics Preview: Quarter Finals

Posted on | Posted by TABtouch

Quarter Final v Serbia (8.30pm WST Tuesday 6th August)

The Australian Boomers got lucky to advance to the knockout phase at Paris 2024 and now they are going to have to improve significantly to beat Nikola Jokic and Serbia in the quarter finals on Tuesday night.

Heading into the Olympic Games in Paris and the Boomers had high expectations of backing up the historic bronze medal win at Tokyo, but it’s a campaign that has hit some hurdles after the last two games.

Things did start well enough with the first up 92-80 win against arch nemesis Spain, but then losses to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Canada, and then Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece meant they needed some help to get out of the group phase.

For the Boomers to advance, they needed Canada to beat Spain, and that happened but only just and now the task for Australia as the quarter finals get underway on Tuesday night is a battle with Serbia.

It’s a Serbian team that did lose by 26 points first up to the USA, but hit back beating Puerto Rico by 41 points and then South Sudan by 11 points in a dramatic affair to see them advance to the quarter finals.

They are a significant test for Australia but the Boomers biggest problems seems to be battling their own inner demons with legendary coach Brian Goorjian calling out his team for trying to play too much ‘hero’ ball especially against Greece.

Josh Giddey has had a good Olympics campaign with 15.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists, but he has also been trying to force things too much when his best skill is to penetrate and create for his teammates.

Patty Mills hasn’t been able to replicate his heroics from Tokyo or on so many other occasions wearing the green and gold, while a lack of a defensive presence and a genuine knockdown shooter continues to be an on-going concern.

That will again be the case against Serbia as the Boomers come up against Nikola Jokic with the 2023 NBA champion and Finals MVP putting up 18.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists a game at Paris 2024 for his nation.

Atlanta Hawks NBA forward Bogdan Bogdanovic is the other Serbian weapon who is going at 19.0 points on 53 per cent three-point shooting.

Given the Boomers defensive struggles so far in Paris, getting on Jokic for over 33.5 points and rebounds at $1.90* and Bogdanovich for over 18.5 points at 1.90* do look good options.

However, despite Australia paying $3.25* to win, they aren’t without a chance given the talent and experience in the squad if they can pull together as a group, stop with the isolation ball and find some defensive buy-in and outside shooting.

Giddey is going to again be key to everything so getting on him at over 22.5 points at $1.95* is worthwhile. He will need to cover that for Australia to win.

Jock Landale has been the standout for the Boomers so far with 17.7 points and 9.7 rebounds a game so he will need to go over 20.5 points and rebounds at $1.70* once more for Australia to win.

Someone else will have to step up too for the win to get through to the semi finals. Dante Exum could well be the one to deliver so is a good option at over 9.5 points at $1.85*.

Verdict: Serbia to win at 1.32* (Australia +7 at $1.91*)

*Odds correct as at 9am 6th August 2024.

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