Magic center leads Georgia to historic FIBA World Cup win

Bitadze had his second double-double in three games for Georgia, who qualified for their first FIBA World Cup this season. And after blowing out Venezuela, they're headed for the second round during their maiden voyage.

He scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, with two blocks and two steals in the 70-59 win. Those numbers would have been more impressive had the game not turned into a blowout thanks to Bitadze and the Georgian team's interior toughness.

They held Venezuela to just four points in the second quarter, as Bitadze scored four points, grabbed five rebounds and drew two fouls. Venezuela didn't get their second basket for more than seven-and-a-half minutes, after Bitadze subbed out.

He was also dominant in Georgia's first win over Cape Verde, where he dominated with a 15-point, 11-rebound effort. Foul trouble derailed Bitadze and company against Luka Doncic and Slovenia, but they still advanced with a 2-1 record in their group.

Georgia only became independent from the Soviet Union in 1990, and didn't qualify for the top division of EuroBasket until 2011. But they have been a consistent qualifier since then, thanks in part to NBA veterans Zaza Pachulia and Tornike Shengelia, who is Georgia's leading scorer at 16.7 points per game.

They face a tough group in the second round with Slovenia, Germany and Australia, all laden with NBA talent. But Bitadze was the No. 18 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he's proving he can excel in the international game. That's good news for Georgia — and even better news for the Orlando Magic, who signed Bitadze to a two-year deal in February.

If Bitadze can win games with Georgia, helping Orlando return to the playoffs for the first time in four years doesn't seem so difficult.