Australia vs. Puerto Rico: Preview and Prediction (July 19, 2024) | Basketball Showcase Game
Australia takes on Puerto Rico on Thursday in a friendly game in France as part of their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Boomers, who are coming off an impressive 84-73 win over the Nikola Jokic-led Serbia, look to sustain their hot form against the Puerto Ricans. Josh Giddey, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova are expected to lead the Aussies.
Meanwhile, the Boricuas suffered a 67-65 loss to the undermanned Greeks three nights ago in another exhibition game in Thessaloniki. New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado will be at the helm when they try to bounce back with a win versus the Boomers.
Australia vs. Puerto Rico: preview, prediction and odds
Co’Met Arena in Orleans, France will host the showdown between the Aussies and Puerto Ricans. Basketball fans can check Courtside 1891 for coverage of the matchup.
Spread: Australia (-6.5) vs. Puerto Rico (+6.5)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Australia vs. Puerto Rico: Game preview
“FIBA Patty” finally showed up for the Boomers in their 84-73 upset of the Serbians. Mills scattered 28 points on 7-for-13 shots and added five assists in the win. The veteran NBA guard made a handful of crucial plays late in the game to help fend off the Serbians. If Mills can carry that form against Los Gallos, the Aussies will be tough to beat.
The Boomers also got superb contributions from Jock Landale, Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. Landale held up quite well against Serbia’s imposing frontline led by Nikola Jokic. The Aussies will need him to anchor the interior again.
After an impressive Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Puerto Ricans stumbled against Greece in an exhibition game. They led for nearly the entire game but still lost. The Boricuas can’t afford another such kind of performance against the stacked Aussies.
Jose Alvarado has to do a better job of dictating pace, something he couldn’t sustain versus the Greeks. The team will also need Tremont Waters to orchestrate the offense if the Boomers pressure Alvarado 94 feet.
In the loss to Greece, the Puerto Ricans were manhandled on the glass, 41-27. They will have to keep Jock Landale, Duop Reath and Will Magnay off the board to prevent another meltdown.
Australia vs. Puerto Rico: Prediction
In two exhibition games, Australia pushed Team USA to the end and then beat Serbia. The Boomers have size, shooting, chemistry and are getting “FIBA Patty” back. Puerto Rico has a gung-ho style that works well with their aggressiveness. It will likely be a seesaw battle but the Aussies are likely walking away with the W.