OKINAWA (Japan) – A game widely expected to yield a playoff-like atmosphere turned into a one-sided affair instead as Germany ended Slovenia’s unbeaten run by way of a 100-71 rout in the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Sunday night at the Okinawa Arena.The squad actually got outscored by the 12 points of Luka Doncic after trailing, 25-11, in the first 10 minutes, but woke up in the second quarter before completely reversing the match in their favor in the following chapter on the way to staying perfect with a clean 5-0 card.
Dennis Schroder finished with 24 points and 10 assists to lead the Germany, who also earned sweet revenge against the team that dealt them one of their only two losses in the last EuroBasket. Daniel Theis made 14 points and 7 rebounds. Isaac Bonga supplied 12 points and 5 boards, while Niels Giffey and Moe Wagner added 10 points apiece as a total of five players finished in double figures, flexing their depth yet again in another reminder why they are a favorite. Leading Slovenia, on the other hand, was Luka Doncic, who had 23 points albeit on 22 shots alongside 6 boards and 6 dimes as they lost for the first time after starting out with four straight wins.
Germany trailed by 12 early in the second chapter until Andreas Obst hit a crucial triple that sparked an 18-2 run to take a 38-34 lead entering the halftime break. Dennis Schroder and Daniel Theis would take the cudgels come the third quarter to begin the mauling. From a narrow 43-40 edge, the two NBA veterans spearheaded another 18-2 barrage to establish a 61-42 advantage with under four minutes remaining. Slovenia tried to fight back with Luka Doncic leading the way, but Moe Wagner and Maodo Lo helped in making sure that they won’t get any further as they cruised to the 43-point win. In a clash against Doncic, Schroder shined the brightest and ended up as TCL Player of the Game. He shot 73-percent from the floor, including a 4-of-7 clip from beyond the arc. The floor general finished with a game-high efficiency rating of 31.
Germany are known for their efficiency and that was on display in its peak form as they shot 55-percent from the field, 45-percent from downtown, and 88 percent from the free-throw line. Not an easy feat against a team like Slovenia that play as intense and fierce as they do. Both teams came into this game undefeated with the top spot in Group K on the line. Germany emerged on top, but both are now awaiting the results from the exciting Group L taking place at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta to see who they will face.                                     Latvia are already through to the Quarter-Finals, while the other team will be either Canada or reigning champions Spain as they figure in a do-or-die situation later in the night.
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