By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Lille, France – After missing the first game due to injury, Dante Exum bounced back with 15 points in a losing effort for Australia on Tuesday.
“It is a game of runs and they ran at the right time and we were not able to respond,” he talked to Eurohoops about Canada pulling away in the fourth quarter, “We just got a little bit too frantic and trying to win the game. We will get better from this game and we can learn a lot. I think it is better to lose early than lose late.”
Canada jumped to 2-0 in Group A of the preliminary round of the 2024 Olympic Games and forced the Boomers to 1-1. The European portion of the group, Spain and Greece sit at 1-1 and 0-2, respectively.
“I think everyone in this group is good. Everyone in this tournament is good. On any given night, anyone can win,” explained Exum, “It is just about doing that. Obviously, we dropped one, but hopefully, once we get to the no-lose game situations, that is when we lock in.”
Finishing pool play on Friday, Australia clashes with Greece and Canada takes on Spain.
“This one hurts a little bit,” added Exum before focusing on the opportunity to clinch a berth in the Quarterfinals, “We will go into the next game with the game plan and make sure we can control that game and come out with a win.”
Beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo, most of the remaing players on the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis compete in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague at the club level.
“I played against a lot of the guys in EuroLeague and I know what they can do and how they are going to be,” Exum continued using his experience in Europe’s premier club continental competition, “They are hungry for a win and hungry to stay in the tournament. So, we need to be ready.”
Photo Credit: FIBA