Luka Doncic and Slovenia too much for Japan, win 116-81 to move to 2-0

Hachimura did whatever he could. Blocking shots, hitting tough jumpers, logging big minutes, the best player on Japan’s roster simply held nothing back with hopes of giving his country its first Olympic men’s basketball win in 45 years. Problem was, the other side had Luka Doncic.

The Dallas Mavericks star had another impressive performance with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes, Zoran Dragic scored 24 points and Slovenia remained unbeaten in its Olympic debut by beating Japan 116-81 in the Tokyo Games on Thursday.

“It’s not only Luka,” Hachmura said. “They have a lot of guys who can hoop. … They’re a great team. They beat us.” Vlatko Cancar added 16 for Slovenia, which has won its two games in Saitama by a combined 53 points. Slovenia outrebounded Japan 54-33 and had 27 assists to Japan’s 15.

“It was a great game for us,” Slovenia coach Aleksander Sekulic said. “I think we showed our power. We played really together as a team. To have 27 assists and 54 rebounds, it says something about this team and I’m really proud of them.”

Hachimura finished with 34 points and seven rebounds. Yuta Watanabe added 17 for Japan. “Congratulations to Slovenia,” Japan coach Julio Lamas said. “They played better than us, all the game. … They are a very good team, very complete team with one amazing player.”

The Hachimura vs. Doncic matchup got off to a flying start, both players finishing the first quarter with 13 points and Slovenia taking a 29-23 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The margin was up to 53-41 at the half, and Japan still seemed to have a shot early in the fourth down by only 14. And then Doncic returned, ending whatever hope the hosts had.

Doncic who declined to stop for questions after the game, didn’t play in the final 5:30 of the third quarter. He grabbed a seat at the end of the Slovenia bench, draped towels over his shoulder and lap and kept …

Russell Westbrook makes history as Washington forces Game 5

The Philadelphia 76ers lost Joel Embiid to a knee injury during the first quarter of Game 4 of their best-of-seven series against the Washington Wizards but that was just one of their issues coming out of Monday night’s matchup in D.C. as the Wizards were able to take advantage of Embiid’s absence in order to pick up a 122-114 win to extend the series to, at least, a Game 5.

While Bradley Beal performed at a high level as he has throughout the series, he finally received some support on the offensive end as Washington had seven players, including their entire starting five, score in double figures. Philadelphia was able to hold off Washington in the first half to take a one-point lead into the break but it was the Wizards who took control from there on out.

With the win, this series will shift back to Philadelphia for Game 5 as that matchup is scheduled to take place on Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Here are three key takeaways from the game:

1. Embiid leaves after hard fall

Yes, the Wizards won the game and extended the series, but the biggest takeaway from this game is by far Joel Embiid’s injury. Late in the first quarter, Embiid drove to the basket and tried to contort his body to get a shot away against Robin Lopez. In the process he lost his balance and landed awkwardly on the baseline.

He got up grabbing his hip and lower back, and that seemed to be the problem based on his landing. However, the Sixers later announced that he would be out for the rest of the game due to knee soreness. Upon further review of the video, you can see that he sort of jolts his knee when he comes down, and that was apparently a bigger issue.

When Embiid left the game, the Sixers were leading 20-12. Without him, they were outscored by 16 points the rest of the way and ended up losing 122-114. They’re still a better team …

Rivers Hoopers record first win in Rwanda

After suffering back-to-back losses in their first two games at the ongoing Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Kigali, Rivers Hoopers secured their first win in the tournament on Saturday.

The coach Ogoh Odaudu-tutored side registered an 11-point win over Gendarmerie Nationale Basketball Club of Madagascar (80-69) to the delight of many Nigerians who have been longing for a positive result from the ‘KingsMen’.

Before Saturday’s win, Rivers Hoopers had suffered a 99-70 points defeat against Tunisian champion AS Monastir following the opening day defeat to Rwandan side Patriots BBC.

Like the Hoopers, GNBC had also lost their first two games and desperately needed something positive from Saturday’s tie. It was thus not surprising when they took an early lead but at the end of the first period, both teams were tied at 18-18.

Rivers Hoopers were slightly ahead by the end of the second period at 41-40 but at the end of the third period, both teams were tied again at 59-59.

It was in the final quarter that Rivers hoopers blew their opponent away; winning 21-10 to emerge 80-69 winners. Despite this win, the team from Nigeria still needs to wait to know if they will make the playoffs.…

D’Tigress Need Extra Focus For Women’s World Cup

D’Tigress point guard, Ezinne Kalu, has demanded extra focus from her teammates as they start the second phase of their camping in Lagos on Monday in preparation for the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
The 26-year-old, who plays for Vasa Akademia in the Hungarian league, said their mission in Lagos is to finish the second phase on a high note in time for World Cup in Spain.
She said: “I expect everybody to have a solid focus.
“We are ready to finish the second part of camp and get a solid defence going.
“I expect that everybody will come in and stay focused because the second phase of the camp is the most important.”
According to the former co-captain of the team, going by the statistics of the friendlies played during the first phase of their camping in Atlanta, the team’s offence has been great.
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Kalu expects that they can always get better with more warm up games lined up by the Nigeria Basketball Federation.
The 26-year-old, who played a pivotal role in D’Tigress’ emergence as African Champions in 2017, while speaking on arrival in Lagos, said putting on the national team’s jersey and representing millions of Nigerians comes with a bit of pressure on any player, which for her is normal.
She said: “I do feel the pressure but at the same time, I know that my team has got my back.
“They can trust me and I can trust them and help me keep being a leader.”
Despite the recent appointment of Adaora Elonu as captain, Kalu said she will continue to play her leadership role on the court and give her best to bring glory to Nigeria anytime she steps on the court.
“As a point guard, I have to be a leader on the floor, talk my teammates through and communicate,” she concluded.

FIBA World Cup Qualifier: D’Tigers Outdunk Mali, Qualifies For Second Round

African champions, D’Tigers, has extended her winning streak to three, courtesy the 93-53 win over Mali in Lagos on Sunday to qualify for the second round of the Federation of International Basketball Association World Cup.
Having thrashed Uganda and Rwanda in their previous games, the Nigerian side consolidated her lead in the series by winning the first and second quarters by 22-15 and 25-10 points.
The Alex Nwora tutored lads coasted to victory with 24-19 and 22-9 in the third and final quarter of the tie.
With 12 points from six matches, Nigeria has qualified for the Second Round of the qualifiers.
According to FIBA, the top three teams from each group advance to the Second Round, where the 12 qualified teams are divided in two groups (E and F) of six teams each.
FIBA website revealed: “The first legs of the Second-Round tournament take place during the fourth window (September 10-18, 2018), with the return legs to follow during the fifth window (November 26-December 4, 2018) and the sixth window (February 20-28, 2019).
“The top two teams from groups E and F and the best third-ranked team will secure their tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.”
The first-ever 32-team edition of FIBA’s flagship competition will take place from August 31 to September 15, 2019 in China.…