NZ in an arm wrestle with Jordan...

NZ shooting themselves in the foot down the stretch.

Jordan could get this. 2 and half mins left, down 1.

Jordan should have won that

Jordan's coach is quite the character.

Previous timeout: "DO THE FOUL, DO THE FOUL!!1!"

Last timeout: "LIFT!"

Drama.

Do NZ want to win this?????

Quite the finish here

Feel for Wetzell since he's been huge.

I guess a coach telling his team to LIFT actually does work.

Two three point fouls in a row. Geeezz

Ili gets to the bucket and misses point blank. Game goes to OT. Wow.

OT.

I guess a coach telling his team to LIFT actually does work.

What's the individual points record for a WC game? Hollis-Jefferson might give it a shake.

Enjoyable game, Jordan playing very well.

Goorj taking notes hopefully.

What's the individual points record for a WC game? Hollis-Jefferson might give it a shake.

Gold, PW!!

Georgia taking it right up Slovenia.

Well that didn't last long, Slovenia putting the foot down.

These American commentators are so insufferable. Team USA was actually praised for how they lined up for the jump ball!

I like Jeff Taylor. He's good value.

So is the Greek coach.

China were once at least competent on the international stage but have dropped away. What's the cause? Felt like they had more than Yao back then. I assume the interest and investment is still there? Is it more that Asian qualifying was easier for them in the past?

Yao was the big reason they were top 8. There was a veteran core around him who had played together a lot. Yi Jianlian was one of the reasons they stayed semi-competitive for a while after Yao, but they have always struggled with the athleticism and physicality of top-level countries.

Gazey and that girl are the best commentators, Slovenia and Georgia was a slug fest, 54 fouls.

Must admit it's being one of the more boring international tournaments thus far. Obviously the Olympics is far higher quality and more exciting games, even in pool play, owing to the limited number of teams.

Can't say pool play here has excited me too much.

It wasn't that long ago the World Cup had 24 rather than 32 teams (until 2014).

Since it was expanded the berths for Asia, excluding Oceania spots, have disproportionately increased compared to other confederations.

While the Asian teams don't perform greatly, Australia excepted, the bring crowds and money, it’s worth encouraging even if they lose heavily at times.

To a point, though.

The lack of competitive group stage games is hardly going to endear more viewers to watch what is supposed to be the pinnacle of our sport.

Most world cups are similar, rugby, soccer, netball, cricket etc, yes I hear you though but you have to keep countries interested or it is like cricket with only a few teams ever capable of winning.

You've used four really bad examples there.

Latvia 23 Canada 13 after 1Q. Nice start.

I watched too much of Lebanon vs France which had to be seriously depressing for the French. Either they lose and have a thoroughly embarrassing World Cup, or they win as expected and can barely walk away feeling positive. Narrow win was almost the worst option.

I haven't seen any of Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Cape Verde; how do they compare to a Lebanon or Iran (years since I've seen them play)?

Good points re France. I wonder if this is the end for their coach, who seems to have been with this group forever.

You wonder how much an impact the fact France are already qualified for the Olympics as hosts has had on this campaign? Either way, it's certainly a kick up the bum ahead of next year. Would be a big move if Collet was moved on, he has been in that role a long time (since 2009??).