By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Spending most of the summer under mandatory military service for his country, Lauri Markkanen switched to representing Finland in basketball and preparing for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
With 13,054 fans setting a new attendance record in Finland, the Utah Jazz forward dropped 24 points in the narrow friendly win, 81-79, against Lithuania in Tampere’s Nokia Arena Friday. He added seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals lasting just over 32 minutes.
Lassi Tuovi’s side growing a ten-point lead in the third quarter did not deliver the finishing blow to the visitors. Reduced to catchup down the stretch, a 9-0 run capped off by two free throws sank by Markkanen built a four-point advantage with just under three minutes remaining. With the game knotted up once more, Mikael Jantunen tipped in the game-winner as time ran out.
For the team coached by Kazys Maksvytis falling short after five friendly wins in a row to start World Cup preparations, Rokas Jokubaitis posted a team-high 13 points and a game-high seven assists. The New York Knicks currently control the NBA rights of the 22-year-old FC Barcelona point guard.
Juancho Hernangomez destroys Venezuela
Enjoying the opener of the series of exhibition games on the way to the World Cup, Spain made short work of Venezuela, 87-57, in Madrid’s WiZink Center.
Dealing the most damage, Juancho Hernangomez poured in 27 points for the reigning EuroBasket champions. Santi Aldama and Usman Garuba followed with 16 and 11 points, respectively. For the visitors, Michael Carrera and Garly Sojo shared a team-high 11 points.
The team led by Sergio Scariolo build a double-digit lead in the second quarter and ended up 46-26 at the break. One-way traffic persisted throughout the second half.
Friendly action in Japan and China
Salvaging a split in the two-game series opposite Japan, New Zealand logged a convincing win, 94-75, in Ota Friday. Experienced swingman Reuben Te Rangi stood out with 20 points and six rebounds. The home side won, 79-72, in the first half of the series Wednesday.
Highlighting the China International Hoops Festival, the Philippines beat Iran B, 76-65, in Heyuan yesterday and lost, 72-64, to Senegal in Guandong today. More prep games in China for the main hosts of the approaching World Cup hosts, against Senegal Sunday and Iran Monday.
The King’s Cup
With three national teams extending World Cup preparations, the King’s Cup opener saw Mexico edge out Angola, 78-76, in Amman. After five friendly wins in Mexico, the undefeated streak kept going in Jordan.
Coming in with a 1-5 record across prep games, tournament host Jordan rallied past Portugal, 69-61, later in Prince Hamza Hall.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL