In a high-stakes showdown, Canada triumphed over Australia in the intense Group of Death match at the 2024 Olympics, securing a 93-83 victory. This win catapulted Canada to the pinnacle of Group A, establishing them as the team to beat in this fiercely competitive pool.
RJ Barrett was instrumental for Canada, delivering a stellar performance with 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in just 25 minutes of play. His ability to find scoring opportunities was praised by Coach Jordi Fernandez, who remarked, "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy."
Despite the loss, Australia remains in second place in Group A. Josh Giddey had an impressive first half, scoring 15 points by halftime. However, Australia struggled with turnovers, especially in the third quarter, where they lost possession nine times. This slip-up proved costly as Canada capitalized, scoring 28 points off turnovers compared to Australia's 10.
Defensive Dominance
Canada's defensive prowess shone brightest in the fourth quarter, where they held Australia to a mere 13 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed significantly on both ends of the floor, adding 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots to Canada's cause. The relentless pressure from the Canadian defense was highlighted by Australia's coach Brian Goorjian, who admitted, "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."
Jock Landale led Australia's efforts with a commendable double-double, amassing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Nevertheless, it wasn't enough to overcome Canada's balanced attack and robust defense.
Spain's Victory Over Greece
In another gripping matchup, Spain emerged victorious against Greece, winning 84-77. This victory places Spain in third place in Group A. Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his prowess for Greece, scoring 27 points and adding 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, Greece's efforts fell short against a well-coordinated Spanish team.
Santi Aldama led Spain with an impressive double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He also added two assists and three blocks to his stat line, demonstrating his versatility on the court. Sergio Llull contributed 13 points, while Lorenzo Brown orchestrated the offense masterfully with seven points and 10 assists. The strategic planning of Spain's coach, Sergio Scariolo, played a crucial role in this victory. "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength," said Scariolo.
Greece saw some strong performances off the bench, notably from Vasilis Toliopoulos, who hit an impressive 4-of-6 from deep in just 17 minutes of play.
Upcoming Matches
The next round of games promises further excitement. Canada is set to face Spain on Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET in what is expected to be a thrilling contest between two top-tier teams. Meanwhile, Australia will go head-to-head with Greece earlier that day at 7:30 a.m. ET, with both teams looking to improve their standing in the group.
As the tournament progresses, the performances of top-tier players and strategic decisions by coaches will continue to captivate basketball fans, illustrating the high-stakes drama and unparalleled excitement of Olympic basketball.