RED HOT JOHNSON GUNS PORTUGAL DOWN

“This was a good win for us, and especially to get a second win at the weekend is a great boost for us,” Johnson said. “These games are a great preparation, Portugal are a well drilled side and it’s a nice warm-up for our next game against USA.”

Pops Mensah-Bonsu got the first points of the game with a one-hand dunk off a pass from Lenzly. But Portugal were the aggressors at the start, leading 9-4 with five minutes of the quarter played.

Andrew Lawrence was MVP (MAP/BB)

Great Britain though recovered and scored the last eight points of the quarter to lead 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.

GB’s run continued to 12-0 before Portugal could score their first bucket in nearly three minutes of play. But the Brits picked up the pace as their lead extended to 35-18 thanks to a triple from Deng which closely followed by a steal and highlight dunk from Mensah-Bonsu. GB led 46-29 at half-time.

Despite Portugal’s fierce defence, the hosts found themselves up 54-35 thanks to an open lay-up from the impressive Andrew Lawrence, Joao Gomes answered back with a nice basket inside for Portugal which was countered with a transition three-pointer from Sheffield Sharks guard Nate Reinking to give GB a 57-37 lead.

A great steal from Lawrence, which led to a strong lay-up gave GB a 59-39 lead as they took firm control of the game, heading into the fourth quarter, GB led 61-45.

Eric Boateng scored GB’s first seven points of the fourth quarter which he highlighted with an explosive dunk off his own missed free throw gave Great Britain a 70-50 lead.

As Portugal began to tire, two three’s from Johnson and two free throws from Andrew Sullivan extended the lead to 83-57 as all GB players had contributed to the scoresheet and making the game safe.