Basketball: Tall Blacks unfazed by 10-point loss to Brazil

New Zealand rounded out their world championship preparations with an 83-73 loss to Brazil in a low-key practice match at Indianapolis yesterday.

The Tall Blacks completed a five-day training camp in Toronto and within two hours of arrival at Indianapolis took the court against one of the tournament's favourites.

They still led for most of the evening game, up 18-14 through the first quarter and 38-31 at halftime as the South Americans were consistently called for using illegal screens.

After conceding a 12-0 run, the New Zealanders lost the lead midway through the final quarter.

Coach Tab Baldwin said both teams were below the intensity levels that would be evident when the world championships begin in two days. New Zealand's first opponents are Russia, tomorrow morning (NZ time).

"Unlike a lot of the games we've played, the outcome wasn't quite as big a factor in the players' mind today," Baldwin said.

"We're still breaking things down and analysing. There's a lot of work to be done yet. But this game was a real good opportunity for us to continue to progress and I'm sure Brazil will feel the same way."

Kirk Penney topped the New Zealand scoring with 18 points, with Sean Marks and Phill Jones both contributing 13.

Marks sat out the final quarter as shin splints were causing some discomfort. Earlier in the tour the key Tall Black forward struggled with a hamstring strain.

"The hamstring seems to have cleared up, the medics have done a great job with that," Baldwin said.

"We had an intensive week of training in Toronto and Sean picked up the shin splints problem there. It's just a minor case, it won't drag him down too much."

- NZPA