The Greek national team overcame a fifteen-point deficit against New Zealand this Wednesday and won 83-74, with 51-31 in the second half. The course for the next round of the 2023 Basketball World Cup should be set for second place in Group C behind the United States.
Dimitris Itodis’ team, despite not shining at this start of the World Cup, managed to advance to the second group stage, where they will compete with Lithuania and Montenegro.
After defeating Jordan (110-62) on Wednesday, the USA advanced to the top of Group C with complete wins, while in Group D Lithuania qualified with three wins out of three and Montenegro, with two wins and one loss.
Greece, unable to rely on its brightest star in this basketball World Cup, Giannis Antetokounmpo, absent for physical reasons, won a head-to-head match against New Zealand, extending their World Cup run.
Ioannis Papapetrou was the main protagonist with 27 points and four triples, supported by twenty for Giannoulis Larentzakis. Additionally Georgios Papagiannis contributed with eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
For New Zealand, Shea Ili led the way with 27 runs as only six players scored points, while the bench contributed just five points.
AFP
He was on the ropes as New Zealand led 43-28 in the second quarter, using moderate Greek percentages of 31% shooting (11 of 35) in the first half.
He scored just 32 points in two quarters against Greece and New Zealand, while Ruben De Rangi’s fifteen points and Shea Ili’s eleven points relished the idea of making a splash.
But the break helped Greece reorganize their ideas and the second half had a completely different script. It was seen from the first possession with Papanicolaou baskets and more pressure from the defense led by Thanasis Antetokounmpo on a loose ball on the New Zealand serve.
New Zealand had seven turnovers in the first 5:30 minutes of the third quarter Little by little, Greece closed the gap until it was just one point at 50-51 with a monumental Papapetrou three-pointer.
AFP
A 9-0 run in the fourth period allowed Greece to complete its comeback and take its first lead at 7-5 in the first quarter.
Laurentzakis, from three-pointers, signed the go-ahead basket and opened the rain from the goal that shot the difference of Greece to twelve points (73-61).
With commitment, New Zealand gave themselves a chance, with five points from Ili, to close to four points (78-74) in 33 seconds, but Greece kept the income and saved the round pass with a solid 83 – 74.
Hours earlier, Team USA completed its winning streak with a 110-62 rout of Jordan with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists from the indomitable Anthony Edwards. The USA defeated New Zealand 99-72 in their first game and defeated Greece 109-81 on the second day.
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