The Boomers have survived a fiery Spanish foul-fest to exact some Olympic revenge and notch a crucial first-up Games win.
Australia’s Tokyo bronze medallists won 92-80 in Lille on Saturday, with Josh Giddey (17 points, eight rebounds, eight assists) and Jock Landale (20 points, nine rebounds) starring as Dante Exum (dislocated finger) sat out.
A new-look Spain don’t have Pau Gasol or Ricky Rubio, who tormented Australia in legacy-defining wins at the 2016 Olympics and 2019 World Cup respectively.
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But their Paris encounter showed the rivalry will live on in the next generation, with tempers flaring in what was essentially a must-win game in a pool also featuring medal hopes Canada and Greece.
Australia started brilliantly, with Dyson Daniels (13 points, seven rebounds) effective at both ends, Giddey hitting two long triples and selection bolter Jack McVeigh (13 points, seven boards) throwing a smooth no-look assist in a nerveless first touch.
They led 18-7 after another Giddey bucket then 38-17 when Spanish forward Usman Garuba was called for a moving screen on Josh Green.
Green clapped back while Will Magnay’s light touch of the Spaniard’s lower back set Garuba off, pushing Green and triggering a scuffle.
Magnay – picked to be the Boomers’ enforcer – and Garuba were called for technical fouls and it lit the fuse for a spiteful final three quarters.
Officials battled to keep control of the contest and blew 24 fouls in the first half.
But Nick Kay was responsible enough to keep his cool after he was tunnelled by Willy Hernangomez and landed on his back.
The Spanish bench was then fouled for more remonstrating but it only served to even the contest as things got ugly.
Giddey’s class still shone, the Olympic rookie driving to the rim and finishing as Australia scraped 18 second-quarter points to lead 49-42 at the break.
Santi Aldama (27 points) powered Spain’s response, hitting a three after an ugly Patty Mills turnover to give them their first lead.
But Mills (19 points) fired right back with a triple, Australia’s 8-0 run killing off Spain before Mills and Daniels iced the win with dagger three-pointers in the final seconds.
Exum dislocated his finger in a warm-up game earlier this week but the Boomers opted not to fly in a late replacement, confident he’ll play a role later in the tournament.
He wore sneakers and a tracksuit on the bench, with Matthew Dellavedova getting an extended run while Duop Reath was not activated.
Australia next play Canada on Tuesday (2130 AEST) before completing pool action in Lille against Greece on Friday.