Despite big statements from his rivals, Luka Doncic did it again / News - Basketnews.com

Slovenian rivals are talking about the reigning champions becoming weaker, but it might only fuel Luka Doncic, who had another remarkable performance at the EuroBasket opener.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

"This was the game for the group's first place," Sasa Doncic, Luka Doncic's father, said in the mixed zone after a tough reigning champions' victory in the EuroBasket 2022 opener against Lithuania, 92-85.

Player of the Game EFF 25 Mike Tobey Points 24 Accuracy 11-17 Rebounds 8 Assists 1

Sasa took a deep breath when Luka brought back the lead to Slovenia with a deep drive and perfect dime to Mike Tobey, followed by an easy layup to make it an 82-81 contest.

Just a couple of minutes ago, Slovenia was behind 73-78, and Lithuanians were in a good position to stop Luka Doncic and his team's run of nine consecutive EuroBasket victories.

But when the game was running away from Slovenia, Doncic managed to slow things down and play at his own pace.

The Dallas Mavericks star didn't score a single field goal in the fourth quarter. But he took over the show with exceptional reads that left Lithuania unarmed.

At first,in the blink of an eye, he noticed a miscommunication in Lithuania's defense and destroyed the defense with a quick pass under the basket.

In the following possession, he set up a perfectly measured pass over Domantas Sabonis and Lithuania's defense, ending with another Tobey layup.

Luka scored 14 points on only 4 of 14 shooting (3FG: 1/8) but dished ten assists and lifted his teammates when the game was on the line. That was the first Luka's double-double that included points and assists.

Mike Tobey had 24 points and eight rebounds, including 11 fourth-quarter points. Goran Dragic added 19 points, and Jaka Blazic hit 14.

Lithuania tried everything.

Ignas Brazdeikis trash-talked Luka Doncic after his missed free throw. A few thousand Lithuanian fans booed him from the moment the announcer called his name during the team presentation. They didn't hesitate to boo him even when Luka got hurt.

Slovenia / Schedule

Slovenia Lithuania92-85 Hungary SloveniaSat18:30 Slovenia Bosnia and HerzegovinaSun15:45 Germany SloveniaTue18:30 France SloveniaWed15:15

Kazys Maksvytis used various defensive schemes to make him uncomfortable. Lithuanians dropped, switched, and doubled Luka. They threw different defenders and tried to get him fatigued, attacking Doncic on offense.

Luka got elbowed twice. Jonas Valanciunas almost made him blind, tearing off his eyes on a drive.

But nothing could have affected his vision with only a victory in his mind.

However, that wasn't a comfortable bus ride for Slovenia.

"Slovenia is not as good as it was in 2017," Marius Grigonis, one of the key Lithuania players, revealed after the game.

"Why? Because Goran Dragic got older," he smiled.

"I feel bad for the loss, but we can play anybody. And I don't think Slovenia will win all games in this group. We have France, Germany... Hungary and Bosnia might surprise. Nothing is lost, we're moving forward."

The top-scorer of Lithuania, Mindaugas Kuzminskas (19 points), also felt Lithuania gave away the game they should have won.

One of the EuroBasket favorites allowed Slovenia to grab ten offensive rebounds, including some crucial second chances at the end of the fourth quarter. Slovenians converted it into 12 extra points.

Lithuania also was too soft in some situations and made 16 turnovers.

"Today was September 1st, and we played as first-graders. We made too many mistakes. Slovenia scored more than 20 points after our mistakes. That was the key problem," Kuzminskas said.

"Lithuania has an amazing team. We have to give them credit for their team and the approach they showed today," the Slovenian guard Klemen Prepelic praised Lithuania. "I think these are two very good teams counting on the medal at the end.

"It was a very physical game. They limited Luka very well at the beginning of the game. We couldn't play our game at our pace. They had very good scouting. We have to give them credit. But at the end of the day, the individual talent now with Goran and Luka put things on our side. We're happy with our win, especially after a tough loss against Germany," Prepelic concluded.

The last World Cup qualifiers loss against Germany (71-90) raised some questions about Slovenia's vulnerability.

Aleksander Sekulic's team in Munich showed up lazy, looked down on game details, wasn't physical or disciplined, and got punished by Germany.

More basketball people think that Slovenians are weaker than before. Mainly because of the aging Luka's supporting cast, different and older Goran Dragic.

Also, there are plenty of other teams aiming for the highest goal.

The list starts with Serbia or Greece, led by the two last NBA MVPs of the recent four seasons. Also, Germany celebrated a convincing win against France at Dirk Nowitzki's jersey retirement afterparty.

Just like on the night vs. Slovenia, the Germans completely controlled the game and locked down Tokyo Olympics finalists 76-63.

The Lanxess crowd was roaring after playful Maodo Lo assist. Dennis Schroder threw a few funny celebrations after successful plays. The entire German team was boosted by a tremendous defensive effort that was rewarded on the offensive end.

Germany became a very fun team to watch.

Group B was labeled as the group of death, but the conversation was mainly about three powerhouses: Slovenia, France, and Lithuania.

However, Germans are definitely coming into this conversation with a statement win.

"I don't know who creates these narratives," Franz Wagner smiled.

"But our locker room was very confident in going to every game aiming for the win. If that's the statement for you guys, then that's a statement," the Orlando Magic forward smiled again. "But we want to build on this game and play the next game even better."

Slovenia might look vulnerable to some people.

But you can be sure that the taxi ride to the opening game, hostile Lithuanian fans, and statements of Slovenian rivals will only fuel Luka Doncic and the reigning champions.

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