Patty Mills hits milestone as Aussies dominate Markkanen, Finland

AUSTRALIA soared to a winning start in Group E with a 98-72 rout of Finland at the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup in Okinawa, Japan on Friday.

Boomers captain and NBA veteran Patty Mills fired a game-high 25 points to lead a red-hot Aussie start, eclipsing Australian great Ray Borner as the country’s third all-time leading scorer with 290 career points.

PHOTO: fiba.basketball

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The Aussies bucked a slow start in the global showpiece’s opening salvo as Finnish ace Lauri Markkanen took control early with five quick points.

But from the second frame onwards, Australia seized momentum and led by as much as 29 points in the second half.

The NBA trio of Josh Giddey (14 points), Joe Ingles (13 points), and Dante Exum (10 points) pitched key scoring contributions to Australia’s statement victory.

Reigning NBA Most Improved Player Lauri Markkanen paced Finland with 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Australia takes on Germany as Finland plays Japan in the second match day of Group E on Sunday.

Finland (72) – Markkanen 19, Salin 13, Jantunen 8, Madsen 8, Valtonen 7, Nkamhoua 6, Murphy 4, Little 3, Kantonen 2, Maxhuni 2, Grandison 0, Seppala 0.

Australia (98) – Mills 25, Giddey 14, Ingles 13, Exum 10, Cooks 9, Reath 8, White 7, Green 6, Kay 4, Thybulle 2, Daniels 0, Goulding 0.

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Quarterscores: 17-21; 45-40; 70-54; 98-72.