By Sean Miyaguchi,
Heavyweight France had its hands full early before pulling away to an 88-70 win over Japan in a warm-up game Thursday ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert contributed 16 points and nine rebounds for world No. 5 France, while U.S.-based collegiate star Keisei Tominaga scored a game-high 20 for 36th-ranked Japan at Ariake Arena.
Featuring several current and former NBA players, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist France marked World Cup co-host Japan's toughest opponent in a succession of warm-up games culminating against Slovenia on Saturday.
Having stunned a jet-lagged France 81-75 in a July 2021 friendly before the Tokyo Olympics, Akatsuki Japan gave fans hope of another upset against the European side.
Playing without Phoenix Suns swingman Yuta Watanabe, who hurt his ankle in Tuesday's win over Angola, Akatsuki Japan once again looked to sharp-shooting Nebraska Cornhuskers livewire Tominaga to provide an offensive spark.
The 22-year-old guard delivered, putting Japan on the board at 7-3 with a three-pointer and continuing to ignite the crowd of 13,009 with multiple makes from far beyond the arc.
Japan fought its way into the contest by forcing turnovers and hitting three-point shots, twice taking the lead before finishing the first quarter trailing 23-20.
Tom Hovasse's team continued trading baskets with its more fancied opponent and went into the main break down 45-40.
France extended its lead to 53-44 early in the third quarter, but Japan continued to make big shots to stay within touching distance.
With Gobert, New York Knick Evan Fournier and former San Antonio Spur Nando de Colo keeping the scoreboard ticking, France eventually outscored Japan 25-17 in the third to take control of the game.
"It felt like we had a chance to win up until halftime," Hovasse said.
"We lost the game, but we gained confidence. Our shooting percentage wasn't what it needed to be, and we didn't get to the free-throw line enough. Those are things we need to fix."
Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Gobert said his team was not surprised by Japan's early intensity, despite the absence of Watanabe and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who has opted out of the World Cup, which runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 and is co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
"They're a team with a lot of shooters and players who are really fast," Gobert said. "The first quarter was a little tough but then we were able to pick it up and be more physical and dictate our game."
France will play a further warm-up at the same venue in Tokyo against fellow World Cup medal contender Australia on Sunday. Vincent Collet's team will face Canada, Latvia and Lebanon in Jakarta-based Group H at the tournament.
Japan tips off its World Cup Group E campaign against No. 11 Germany at Okinawa Arena on Aug. 25 before battling No. 24 Finland and No. 3 Australia.
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Basketball: Keisei Tominaga leads Japan past Angola in World Cup warm-up
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