Friday, 18 August 2017: Australian Boomers forward Cam Gliddon is hoping to return from injury for the FIBA Asia Cup semi-final against New Zealand's Tall Blacks.
The injury-plagued Boomers will face New Zealand in the Asia Cup semi-finals as both vie to win the trophy in their first attempt.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe trans-Tasman rivals have progressed to the final four in their inaugural Asia Cup campaigns and will meet in Lebanon on Saturday.
The winner will play either South Korea or Iran in the final.
Australian coach Andrej Lemanis' unbeaten side have so far swept aside Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and China.
But they are down on personnel after veteran centre David Andersen was sent home with a shoulder injury and small forward Cam Gliddon withdrawing from Thursday's quarter-final 97-71 win over China with a foot complaint.
Gliddon, who's a chance to return for the semi, had been strong from outside the arc in the tournament but world No.10 Australia more than compensated for his absence, shooting 12 of 24 from long range.
China's physical style had the match tied in the third quarter but foul trouble saw them forced to back off somewhat, allowing the Boomers to regain composure.
Jason Cadee, who bagged a game-high 20 points, hit two threes in that term while Mitch Creek and Mitch McCarron both chipped in to open up some breathing space.
Creek has excelled for the Boomers with a 15.8-point average.
Like Australia, New Zealand have rested several senior players from the tournament but assistant coach Ross McMains says the younger squad has risen to the challenge in Beirut.
"Their calm in chaotic situations has been really impressive and has carried us through some tough times," McMains said after their 98-70 quarter-final win against Jordan.
"We've communicated to each of them how we want them to impact the game and each one of them has accepted that, and tried to thrive in their role every single night.
"Australia's going to be exciting and that's what every single person in this room has wanted and wants.
"It's going to be a fun match-up and we've got a day-and-a-half to get ready for them."
