In a fast turnaround after falling to France on Saturday, Slovenia battled Belgium in a back-to-back for each groups on Sunday. Led by a triple-double from Luka Dončić, Slovenia picked up its first win over EuroBasket play, downing the Belgians, 86-69.
Luka wasn’t fairly as prolific together with his scoring after dropping 39 factors in opposition to the French, however he as a substitute flirted with a triple-double. He completed with 26 factors, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals to lead Slovenia to the victory. He once more struggled together with his effectivity, taking pictures simply 9-23 from the sector and 2-11 from the 3-point line.
It was a change of script for Luka on this one. After beginning quick all through the match, Luka struggled within the first quarter.
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A mix of taking part in on the second evening of a back-to-back and the minutes load Luka has had this match led to him lacking his first 4 photographs of the sport. While he knocked down his subsequent two photographs, the latter a 3-pointer, he would ask for a sub sooner than regular.
After flattening two freebies to give him seven factors within the first quarter, Luka exited the sport with 2:34 left. Throughout the match, his sub would come within the closing seconds of the quarter. But after taking pictures 2-8 to open the sport, together with 1-5 from the 3-point line, one evening after taking part in 35 minutes in opposition to France, it was maybe not a shock to see him take an early break.
Despite Luka’s struggles, Slovenia led all through the quarter in opposition to their weakest opponent but within the match in Belgium. After one, Slovenia led 16-10.
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The two sides continued to wrestle within the second quarter. However, with Slovenia remaining in management, Luka was afforded extra time on the bench and didn’t return till the eight-minute mark together with his aspect up 21-12. Luka instantly banked in a mid-range jumper to prolong the benefit to 23-12, giving him 9 factors.
A mini-spurt from Belgium lower the lead to seven and compelled a timeout, however Luka responded with an and-one jumper to make it a 10-point lead once more. Some early trash discuss backwards and forwards between the 2 sides had Luka chirping on the Belgian gamers after the three-point play as nicely.
Slovenia continued to construct its lead and a Luka transition layup gave them a 37-23 lead with 2:10 remaining, their largest benefit of the sport. Luka responded to a Belgian 3-pointer with one in every of his personal late within the interval, giving him 19 factors within the opening two intervals and serving to Slovenia lead 43-31 on the half.
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Luke opened the second half with a pleasant roll on a mid-range jumper. After changing on a free throw after a technical foul on Belgium’s coach, Luka threw a dime to the rolling large man to make it 50-31 for Slovenia.
A ten-2 run by Belgium pulled them again to almost single digits. Slovenia responded with the subsequent seven factors, together with a Luka layup, to open it again up to a 16-point hole.
Luka was again to his regular rotation throughout the second half, taking part in everything of the third interval as Slovenia led 64-48 heading into the fourth.
After trying out between quarters, Luka returned three minutes into the ultimate body. With Slovenia in management, it was a reasonably anticlimactic fourth quarter with the one notable second being Luka attaining his triple-double.
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