TOKYO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Japan stepped up their offensive game in the second half in beating Iran 70-56 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers and earning the praise of their head coach Julio Lamas, who also said the team dynamics are starting to change.

Japan tallied 31 points in the first two quarters and then scored 26 points in the third quarter alone in booking their fourth straight win and improving to 4-4 in Group F.

"In the first half Iran played better than us, and in the second half we played better than them. Our team defense was good for 40 minutes, but much better in the second half because we held them to 21 points," said Lamas, whose team remains in the running for a spot in next year's World Cup. "In the second half we played better on offense too with better ball circulation because in the first half we used a lot of dribbling and not enough passes. In the second half we had better passing and better shots. It’s a very good victory for us, and we are very happy about it."

Lamas really praised his United States-based duo of Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe with Hachimura collecting 25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks and Watanabe picking up 18 points, 3 steals and 2 rebounds.

"Watanabe and Hachimura make the Japan national team better. Every time they play for us, it’s good news for us; and every time they don’t play, it’s bad news for us," the coach said. "They are very complete, both of them. They help the team on defense, offense and rebounding, and they are athletic. Our team gets an upgrade in size at the (small forward) and (power forward) positions when they play. And that is a big help for us."

Hachimura has averaged 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in four Asian Qualifiers games while Watanabe contributed 17.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in his two games. But Lamas is fully aware that he might not have either player for the next window in November and December, when Japan host Qatar and Kazakhstan.

"If they don't play in the next window, then we will try to play without them. It is the situation. I cannot change it. I try to think about the situations that are in my hands," Lamas said.

But the coach believes the character of the team has already changed - not just with Hachimura and Watanabe.

"I think we improved in this qualification, and we changed the dynamics," he said. "We started bad, 0-4, and we changed the dynamic like a team."

In the end, Lamas insists he is not yet worrying about playing the next window without his top duo. He will cross that bridge when it comes.

"When I know if they will play or not, then I will prepare the team for with them or without them," he said.

FIBA