By Eurohoops Team/ [email protected]

Leading from start to finish, largely by a margin over 20 points, Germany settled with the 81-63 victory against Japan in Okinawa City Friday.

Among the four NBA players suiting up for Die Mannschaft in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Orlando Magic’s Moritz Wagner paved the way in Gameday 1 by dropping a game-high 25 points, paired with the game-high efficiency rating of 31. The Berlin native, a veteran of 253 games played in the NBA between the Magic, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Lakers, finished with 10/14 field goals and pulled down nine rebounds.

The new point guard of the Toronto Raptors, Dennis Schroder threw in 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks as the team coached by Canadian tactician Gordie Herbert outclassed the Group E hosts. The remaining NBA players, Daniel Theis and Franz Wagner had 13 and ten points, respectively. However, Franz Wagner picked up an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter.

“It looks like a sprained ankle,” mentioned head coach Herbert, “We’ll know more after the MRI.”

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Despite limiting Germany to 6/33 from beyond the arc, Japan failed to gain momentum in Okinawa Arena. Certainly, a rough outing for head coach Tom Hovasse and his players, including Yuta Watanabe of the Phoenix Suns. The 28-year-old swingman logged a team-high 20 points. The former guard of the Texas Legends, Yudai Baba followed with 15 points.

In the opener of Group E, Australia drew a convincing win over Finland. Moving on to Gameday 2, the 1-0 teams, Germany and Australia will meet each other on Sunday. Also, Japan and Finland will be looking to bounce back.

Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL

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