Veteran Patty Mills shows there is still plenty in the tank after leading the Australian Boomers to big opening World Cup match win in Japan:  ‘We knew he would respond’

The Boomers have had a rocky start to their FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup campaign, with veteran Patty Mills and young NBA superstar Josh Giddey teaming up for a 98-72 victory over Finland in Okinawa, Japan.

The Boomers trailed 36-28 in the second quarter, but defeated the European nation 17-4 and led 45-40 at halftime. They dominated the second half and scored 53-32.

Atlanta NBA guard Mills was Australia’s hero in Boomers’ historic streak to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, again leading the Aussies with 25 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

Mills entered the tournament after some shooting problems in the warm-up games, and while he managed just two of eight from the three-point series on Friday, he dropped 50 percent from the field.

Fellow veteran Joe Ingles was also influential, saying the players had no doubt Mills would respond on the big stage in Japan

“He’s our biggest offensive threat, he’s our scorer,” Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said of Mills.

‘In the five (warm-up) games everyone said: ‘Shoot shoot’. You don’t have to tell him that, his self-confidence doesn’t diminish.

“We have complete confidence in him, he’s done it time and time again.”

Ingles added that Mills’ teammates had no doubt that he would react once he reached the big stage.

“Did everyone know he’d respond?” Ingles mused.

“We knew he would, but I don’t know if everyone thought he would.

‘I mean, that’s what he does.

“I think after he doesn’t play that part in the NBA[with Brooklyn]it’s different to play a lot of minutes and that’s another role he’s had.

“We’ve seen behind-the-scenes work that many people don’t see.”

Australian Boomers Brian Goorjian had the luxury of using all twelve players against Finland as the score was announced late in the game

Young star Josh Giddey just missed out on a spot at the Tokyo Olympics, but is already showing he belongs at this level in Japan

Oklahoma City Thunder NBA guard Giddey came close to a triple double in his World Cup debut, recording 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

He credited coach Goorjian for inspiring the team to turn an eight-point deficit in the second quarter into a booming win.

“Thanks to Finland, they came ready to play, more than us,” Giddey said.

‘But Goorj called a time-out halfway through the second and then the tide really turned.

“We picked it up defensively, took care of the ball a little better and kept running.”

Goorjian gave all twelve players of his team a point, of which ten scored runs and four came in double digits.

World No. 24 Finland’s first three field goals were all long bombs, underlining the threat they posed from the outside.

They scored the final seven runs of the first period to lead 21-14 in quarter time.

Australia’s initially poor offense improved significantly as the game progressed and they shot 51 per cent from the field.

The Boomers scored 12 straight points either side of halftime, building a 49–40 lead and never getting into trouble again.

The Australian players thank the fans after coming through their first group game with a crucial win

The traveling Australian supporters were in high spirits following the Boomers’ opening win against Finland in Okinawa

The bench provided a lot of energy, led by NBA veteran Joe Ingles, who scored 13 points.

“He was the difference, we were in a hole and he shot the ball, he defended,” said Goorjian.

“He’s emotional and he talks and he communicates his feelings. Not many of our boys are like that.’

Dante Exum (10 points) added spice in the third quarter, scoring eight points and three assists for the duration.

Xavier Cooks and Jack White also provided energy in the second half.

Finnish 213 cm tall Utah Jazz NBA big man Lauri Markkanen scored the highest for his team with 19 points.

Australia’s next game is against Germany on Sunday.