Olympics: Nuggets Gallo & Jokic advance in qualifying play
By Drew Albee
Joffrey Lauvergne, France prepare for Turkey
Fifth-ranked France is the highest-ranked team left at the Manila tournament, but they have yet to completely exert their dominance over the lesser field thus far. Sure, Les Bleus are 2-0, but their combined margin of victory over those two teams — both ranked lower than #20 — is a mere eight points.
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During group play Joffrey Lauvergne averaged 15.8 minutes, 8.5 points (on 44.4% shooting), 2.5 rebounds and one assist per game. If the French squad should advance to Rio, the Nuggets’ forward needs to up his level of play as France’s competition stiffens.
Turkey features NBA-level talent in New Orleans Pelicans’ big man Omer Asik and recent Philadelphia 76ers draftee Furkan Korkmaz.
Should the French advance, they’ll take on the victor of the Canada-New Zealand Semi-Final in the Final on Sunday.
must read: Olympics/Qualifying: Nuggets’ Lauvergne, France struggle in win
The Denver Nuggets are thisclose to having all three of their #FIBAOQT competitors qualify for the Rio games, let’s hope they’re all able to realize their Olympic dream!
Stay tuned to Nugg Love to see who advances to Rio, as well as other news and notes about the Nuggets and from around the rest of the NBA.