Slovenia secured a quarter-final clash with the USA by beating the Dominican Republic on Saturday but it was a far from convincing performance, writes Emmet Ryan.
The crowd was smaller but there was far more of a feel of a knockout game to this one than the earlier one-sided affair in Bareclona. The bright green clad Slovenian fans heavily outnumbered their Dominican counterparts but the island nation’s support had more to be happy with in the early going. Slovenia, in need of getting their mojo back after dropping the first place decider in Group D on Thursday, looked sluggish in the early going and this gave the Dominican Republic some openings on offence. It was a forgettable 10 minutes but for Dominicana, despite mediocre shooting, managing to do more with less. The sides ended the quarter all square at 15-15.
Jack Martinez had a nice bump off for a step back early in the second but the only way to recognise this was an important clash was by the tension between the players. A minor bit of bumping saw Eloy Vargas and Edo Muric get T-ed up but the whistles from the stands could have as easily been for the standard of far on display rather than general displeasure at the referees. Dominicana had shown in Bilbao that they were comfortable in a stop and go environment but they hardly looked ready to punish Slovenia’s string of errors here. Of all the teams arriving in Barcelona, few are as rested as Dominicana, having rotated heavily against the USA and essentially taken the night off against Turkey. They hadn’t played a live game since Tuesday but the pace that drove them through Finland and New Zealand wasn’t there.
James Feldine was the bright spot in a game otherwise devoid of offensive élan. The two guard for Domincan Republic found ways to get inside and punish Slovenia, opening the game 4 of 4 from the floor. Dominicana maanged to open up a 7 point advantage mid-way through the quarter on the back of his endeavour. A Zoran Dragic three brought some life to an otherwise dormant Slovenian offence. The sides were soon on level terms again before a Miha Zupan three put the favourites back in front. The Slovenian edge on the boards was starting to prove telling, with Zdovc Jure’s team drawing down twice as many boards as Dominicana. By the interval they had assumed command with a 38-28 advantage.
The Dragic brothers both scored early to stretch Slovenia’s advantage at the start of the third. Goran had finally found his step and Slovenia were stepping up their game on offence. Francisco Garcia tried to keep matters manageable but the Phoenix Sun was looking to make amends for being a passenger through the first 20 minutes. Not in the mood to be outdone, Zoran nailed a three and the lead was 15. Domincana once again found some fight and made it a touch more manageable and cut the gap just 6 points heading into the final 10 minutes.
Jack Martinez led the Dominican surge to start the second half, cutting the Slovenian lead to just 2 points. Kremen Prepelic finally got Slovenia on the board in the frame but Ronald Ramon responded immediately from deep. Zoran got inside to make a lay-up from a Zupan pass and the lead was back up to 8 with 4.18 to play. This was hardly vintage Slovenia. Their command of the glass had eroded considerably and the lack of a quality big was showing. Zoran was cleaning up the mess, Slokar got blocked by Garcia, Martinez made the rebound but the taller Dragic brother rolled around to the left to intercept his pass. Another Dominican turnover, Zoran was there again to score. Next Dominican possession, Zoran with the block. When Slovenia needed a Dragic to deliver, Zoran got the job done. They survive, they advance.
The job was done and Slovenia progress but it was ugly stuff for most of the night. Zoran Dragic reminded us why he is attracting NBA attention but it was an otherwise bland display from the victors. Dominican Republic were there to be put down in the third quarter but sloppy play from Slovenia meant this one still hung in the balance entering the closing stages. On Tuesday the United States await, Slovenia will wake up for that but nothing in tonight’s display inspired hope of a big upset.
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