Three teams have booked their
quarterfinal spots in the Paris 2024 Olympics basketball tournament
after winning each other’s crucial matches. Here’s how the games
went:
Brazil 102, Japan 84
Brazil needed more than 10
points to win coming into the game to qualify for the quarterfinals
and they did just that. Behind Bruno Caboclo who played the game of
his life, the Brazilians ran Japan off the court to win by 18
points. Caboclo for himself had 33 points and 18 rebounds en route
to making history. Vitor Benite and Marcelo Huertas added 19 and 13
points respectively as Brazil now moves on to face undisputed
favorites Team USA in the knockout rounds.
Greece 77, Australia 71
Greece upset Australia in this
one after losing their first two games to Canada and Spain. After
virtually carrying his team for the past two games, Giannis
Antetokounmpo had ample help this time as Greece finally claimed a
win. Thomas Walkup had 18 points with 4 threes while Dinos Mitoglou
had 13 points and 7 rebounds to help the ‘Greek Freak’ who himself
had 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. This win by Greece
complicated Group A’s standings, as Australia, Greece, and Spain
all have identical 1-2 records. However, due to superior quotient,
Australia and Greece will finish 2nd and 3rd respectively to kick
Spain out of the competition. Both teams will now move on to the
quarterfinals facing Germany and Serbia
respectively.
Canada 88, Spain 85
Canada edged Spain in a close
match and ended up taking their opponent’s chance to make the
quarterfinals. Spain needed to win by 3 points or more coming to
the game to qualify, however, it was Canada who ended up having the
margin and taking the win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again
brilliant for Canada as he tallied 20 points while Andrew Nembhard
provided the necessary support after Jamal Murray struggled once
again, scoring 18 points off the bench. Canada will face hosts
France in the knockout rounds in a pivotal matchup that may likely
decide a medal winner.
