‘Most underrated pick-up’: Aussie stuns in NBA lifeline; NBL side’s 63-point reality check — Wrap
Australian star Dante Exum has wasted no time in making a powerful impression as a Dallas Mavericks participant of their pre-season conflict towards Real Madrid.
Exum, who final performed within the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021, moved to the Mavs in July from Serbian crew Partizan.
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In his first pre-season recreation for his new crew, Exum logged 26 minutes of court docket time — probably the most amongst Dallas’ gamers — and posted a formidable stat line of 13 factors, 9 assists and two rebounds in a 127-123 loss.
However, the second that made basketball followers sit up and take discover was his insane swat to disclaim Real Madrid small ahead Dzanan Musa.
As the Bosnian drove in the direction of the ring, Exum flew up and denied Musa on the rim with a surprising block.
The Aussie’s play even had the Mavs bench standing up in appreciation of his efforts.
Although it could be pre-season, Exum confirmed loads of promise towards Real Madrid as he staked his declare to be closely concerned this season.
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The reality he performed probably the most minutes of all Dallas gamers can also be an encouraging signal from head coach Jason Kidd that Exum may have a task to play.
Mavs followers definitely shared the identical sentiment.
Exum isn’t the one Australian on the Mavs roster, with Josh Green additionally seeing some pre-season motion towards the Spanish facet.
Green scored 9 factors and had three rebounds and assists from his 18 minutes on court docket.
Whether Green and Exum share loads of recreation time collectively in the course of the NBA season stays to be seen, however it could be some sight to behold.
NBL SIDE BLOWN AWAY IN NBA REALITY CHECK
Two years in the past the Adelaide 36ers set a brand new customary for NBL groups by toppling the Oklahoma City Thunder in a surprising pre-season end result when Josh Giddey was enjoying for the Australian outfit.
But any hopes the Cairns Taipans had of emulating that feat of their conflict with the Washington Wizards on Wednesday had been blown away in a 44-point first quarter demolition by the NBA outfit that resulted in a humbling 145-82 defeat.
The Taipans had been down by as many as 65 factors within the last quarter because the Wizards went to their bench, utilizing 16 gamers to inflict most injury on their well-beaten opponents.
Despite being three video games into their common season within the NBL, the Taipans had been no match for Kyle Kuzma and the Wizards who had been enjoying their opening match of the NBA pre-season in Washington.
The opening gambit from the house facet was simply the beginning of what was to come back, with a 21-point quarter-time lead, 36 at halftime, then a mammoth 48 factors on the last change because the Wizards placed on a present of expertise and energy.
Even with Kuzma given a relaxation final within the recreation, after powering his technique to 22 factors, which allowed final 12 months’s NBL MVP Xavier Cooks, now with the Wizards, to get court docket time, there was little respite for the Taipans.
For the Taipans, who solely had 9 gamers after Sam Waardenburg and Sam Mennenga had been made unavailable on account of sickness, Akoldah Gak was the main scorer with 17 factors, with Patrick Miller subsequent finest with 15.
It’s the fifth time in seven years that NBL groups will take part within the NBA pre-season, with the Taipans coming off a controversial 89-86 win over the Brisbane Bullets final weekend.
The Taipans might be seeking to ship one thing higher after they play their second recreation of the US tour towards the Toronto Raptors.
