Kristaps Porzingis scores 29 as Latvia edges out Great Britain / News - Basketnews.com

Kristaps Porzingis scored 29 points in the match, and Latvia overcame Great Britain 87-80 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Kristaps Porzingis shined in the Latvian uniform once again as the Baltic team (5-1) went 2-0 in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window to defeat resilient Great Britain (1-5) 87-80 (24-16, 14-22, 26-22, 23-20) in the Second Round.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Kristaps Porzingis Points 29 Accuracy 9-12 Rebounds 14 Assists 0

The bearded big man scored 29 points on efficient 9-for-12 shooting while also grabbing 14 rebounds for a total of 35 PIR.

Although Latvia was viewed as the favorite of the matchup, the entire game did not go easy for the team that recently dismantled Turkey at home. Every time the guests tried to secure a bigger lead, the hosts would come back. There were 12 lead changes in total and neither of the teams led by more than 8 points.

Latvia seemed to control the game after a solid first quarter but Great Britain made a quick 6-0 run, brought the game back to within 2 (22-24), and even took the lead with 3 minutes to go in the first half (30-28).

However, the Latvians showed more composure during critical moments of the game. Having just a one-point lead with three minutes to go in the match, Latvia scored on two possessions in a row to force a timeout.

The time stoppage did not yield any results for the hosts and Latvia celebrated its seventh win in the contest.

Besides Porzingis, Rihards Lomazs added 16 points, eight of which were scored with free throws. Myles Hesson was the top-scorer on the Great Britain team with 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.

After going 2-0 in the current Qualifiers window, Latvia now sits in first place in Group I of the Second Round. With the next window coming in November, Latvia might qualify for the World Cup after just one day of matches if they defeat Greece and Great Britain.

Great Britain: Myles Hesson 15 (3/10 2PT, 2/5 3PT, 8 REB, 8 AST), Gabriel Olaseni 14 (5/8 2PT, 6 REB), Luke Nelson 11 (3/6 3PT, 8 AST), Teddy Okereafor 10.

Latvia: Kristaps Porzingis 26 (8/9 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 10/12 FT, 14 REB, 35 PIR), Rihards Lomazs 16 (1/6 2PT, 2/6 3PT, 8/9 FT), Dairis Bertans 11 (3/7 3PT).

Kristaps Porzinigs' performance:

Full game highlights:

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