Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson erupted for 28 points, but even that wasn’t enough to hold off Timberwolves center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic on the opening day of the FIBA World Cup.
The game went back and forth before the Dominican Republic pulled off an 87-81 victory. Towns went just 5-of-16 shooting from the field but still managed 26 points on 15-of-16 shooting on free throws. He also pulled down 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Clarkson fouled out, with international rules and calls being a little different than those of the NBA.
Still, it was a highly entertaining game played in front of a World Cup-record crowd of 38,115 at Philippine Arena in Manila.
“Ever since we put in the bid to host the World Cup in 2015, the mission was to showcase the Filipino people’s love for basketball”, stated SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan.
“We often say we’re the best fans in the world, but beating the old FIBA attendance record has proven what we have believed all along. To the 38,115 fans at the Philippine Arena, thank you. The world definitely heard us.”
View this post on Instagram
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
