Timmins' Tall Blacks smash Hong Kong

The Tall Blacks, featuring Sydney Kings' Sam Timmins, dominated Hong Kong in their second game of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on Sunday with a 88-49 victory over their opponents in front of a pumped-up Eventfinda Stadium crowd.

After the Tall Blacks pushed out to a 27-7 advantage in the first – fueled by a 19-0 run to close the quarter – Hong Kong was competitive in the second and third quarters, but were unable to reduce the deficit.

A 20-11 fourth quarter by New Zealand, led by Tyrell Harrison’s 18 points and eight rebounds, saw the Kiwis take home a comfortable victory.

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Dan Fotu scored 13 points and six rebounds, Tobias Cameron nine, with Timmins and Max Darling tallying eight points apiece as the Kiwis dominated inside.

The home team scored 56 of their points in the painted area and won the rebounding battle 61-31, with Harrison grabbing four of New Zealand’s 19 offensive boards.

The Kiwis did well to limit their turnovers (eight) in this one, but shot just 6/31 from beyond the arc at a 19 per cent clip, and 45.5 per cent overall.

Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron was satisfied with the squad’s effort including the successful debuts of a pair of young Tall Blacks.

“I felt the starting group got us out to a tough defensive start, it may not have shown on the scoreboard in the first five minutes, but it set the way for a good close for our guys coming off the bench," Cameron said.

"In that first quarter, we were able to get up 20 and then maintain that throughout the rest of the game. So good job by our leaders.

“Our two 17-year-olds – Julius [Halaifonua} and Hayden [Jones] – I thought their first couple of touches were a little bit nerve-wracking; Hayden was able to score on his second touch.

"I think it’s always good with these windows, when our leaders and [first choice] players are not available, that the younger guys are able to step up and get that experience.

"And playing for your country, wearing the black is a lot tougher than you anticipate, so I felt they took that opportunity and played well on both ends – and everybody is proud of them."

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The Tall Blacks, who recorded two wins during this window, now have a break in international action, with their next tournament the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece from July 2-7, where they face Group A opponents Slovenia and Croatia in a battle for a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Tall Blacks will also square off against the Philippines (in Manila) and Chinese Taipei (in Christchurch) for window two of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in November 2024.