Doncic enjoys his OQT start, talks “star” calls from refs and Dragic support / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Luka Doncic scored 13 points and dished 9 assists as Slovenia beat Angola, 118-68, for the biggest blowout in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament so far.

Slovenia / Schedule

Angola Slovenia68-118 Slovenia PolandThu13:30

Doncic and Slovenians made it look so easy.

Slovenia started the game on a run of 13-0 and outscored Angola by 24 points in the first quarter (33:9). It was a one-sided game with teams going to rest for half-time with Slovenians leading 64-30.

"We had a great start. We knew Angola would be very aggressive, so we had to go into the game with a great mentality to beat that aggressiveness. And I think we did a great job," Doncic told after the game.

It was an easy Wednesday afternoon for Luka, so he sprinted out of Slovenia’s bench for the ball, which went out of bounds after Angola’s half-court shot, making referees and his head coach Aleksander Sekulic smile at the end of the third quarter.

Luka didn’t even have to bring his A-game in Zalgirio arena to be the most efficient player on the court. He scored 13 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, made 5 steals, assisted 9 times, and his efficiency rating was a team-high 26. Doncic played only 17 minutes.

Eight Slovenian players finished the game scoring in double-digits. Ten of them had an efficiency index of over 10. Luka Doncic played his first and single game before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament twelve days ago, but Slovenia clicked together perfectly, making 18 of 39 threes and assisting 31 times.

"We had great practices. Everybody is enjoying playing, having fun. That’s what we have to do. Everybody has to enjoy," Doncic told.

Goran Dragic was all smiling, watching his fellows starting their fight for a single Olympic ticket in the stands of Zalgirio arena. Four years ago, he won the Eurobasket 2017 with Slovenia National Team.

Goran Dragic

Team:Miami HeatPosition:PG, SGAge:35Height:191 cmWeight:86 kgBirth place:Ljubljana, SloveniaProfileNewsStatistics

"I wish he was playing with us," Luka smiled. "He was the guy of Eurobasket 2017. It’s great that he came all the way to support us. It means a lot. Not just to me, but the whole federation".

Doncic was asked about the NBA "star" calls, which he maybe was expecting during the game, where he had some discussions with the referees.

"I don’t really get called in the NBA. I don’t think," Luka smiled. "Players have to be calm because officiating is a very hard job. We have to be more patient."

At the end of the press conference, Luka Doncic bid a farewell to his former captain from Real Madrid Felipe Reyes, and his idol Vassilis Spanoulis. Both Euroleague legends retired recently.

"Obviously, Felipe Reyes was my teammate, and he taught me well. He was the veteran over there, and he won almost everything. He was a really big time for my career. Spanoulis was my idol since I was little. It was sad seeing him retiring. That’s why I wear No 7. I couldn’t wear No 7, so I took 77. It was really, really big time for me. I watched his games, and it’s kind of sad he’s retiring."

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