The "Group of Death" match at the 2024 Olympics saw Canada triumph over Australia with a hard-fought 93-83 victory, propelling them to the top of Group A. The win was spearheaded by RJ Barrett, who delivered a stellar performance, putting up 24 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out five assists, and snagging two steals in just 25 minutes of play.
Canada's assertive play and tactical execution proved too much for Australia, who now occupy the second place in Group A. Despite a strong first half where Josh Giddey scored 15 points, Australia faltered in the third quarter, committing nine turnovers that swung the momentum in Canada's favor. Australia's struggles continued in the final quarter, with Canada holding them to just 13 points.
The disparity in points off turnovers was telling; Canada capitalized on Australia's mistakes, scoring 28 points off turnovers compared to Australia's 10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another layer of dominance for Canada, contributing 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots to the victory.
On the Australian side, Jock Landale emerged as a bright spot, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. His efforts, however, weren't enough to overcome Canada's relentless pressure, which Australia's coach Brian Goorjian acknowledged post-game. "Even though we had depth in those spots, they wore us down physically, and we really had trouble getting into anything in the second half," Goorjian stated.
Spain Stakes Its Claim
Meanwhile, Spain secured a significant 84-77 victory over Greece, moving to third place in Group A. Santi Aldama led the Spanish charge with an impressive stat line of 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Complementing him were Sergio Llull with 13 points and Lorenzo Brown, who contributed seven points and an impressive 10 assists.
Despite a valiant effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 27 points and added 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, Greece fell short. Vasilis Toliopoulos provided a spark off the bench, hitting 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes. However, Spain's cohesive play and strategic nous, highlighted by their coach Sergio Scariolo's tactical decisions, proved decisive. "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength," Scariolo revealed, offering insight into Spain's preparation and adaptability.
Next Challenges
The tournament now moves into its next phase with pivotal matchups on the horizon. Canada is set to clash with Spain on Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET, a game that promises high stakes and intense competition. Australia, on the other hand, will face Greece on Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET, a critical juncture for both teams as they seek to improve their standings within the group.
Coach Jordi Fernandez of Canada had high praise for RJ Barrett, whose dynamic play has been instrumental in their success. "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy," Fernandez remarked, emphasizing Barrett's ability to deliver in crucial moments.
As the tournament progresses, basketball fans can look forward to witnessing more standout performances and strategic maneuvers from the participating teams. Each game brings with it the potential for electrifying plays and defining moments, keeping the global audience enthralled.