In a thrilling clash at the 2024 Olympics, Canada secured a hard-fought victory over Australia, emerging victorious with a 93-83 win in what has been dubbed the "Group of Death" match. This triumph places Canada at the top of Group A, further solidifying their position as a formidable force in international basketball.
The game was marked by stellar performances from key Canadian players. RJ Barrett led the charge, scoring 24 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out five assists, and nabbing two steals in just 25 minutes. His all-around performance drew high praise from Coach Jordi Fernandez, who stated, "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy."
For Australia, Josh Giddey made a significant impact, scoring 15 points by halftime. However, Australia's performance waned as they turned the ball over nine times in the third quarter. This lapse allowed Canada to capitalize, scoring 28 points off turnovers compared to Australia’s 10. The defensive pressure applied by Canada was a critical factor in their victory. Australia's coach Brian Goorjian acknowledged this, saying, "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."
Defensive Dominance in the Fourth Quarter
Canada’s defensive prowess shone brightly in the final quarter, where they held Australia to just 13 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in this defensive stand, contributing 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots.
Jock Landale stood out for Australia with a commendable stat line of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Despite his efforts, Australia struggled to regain their footing in the face of Canada’s relentless defense and offensive efficiency.
Spain's Victory Over Greece
Meanwhile, in another Group A encounter, Spain achieved an 84-77 victory against Greece. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a standout performance with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, it was not enough to secure a win for Greece.
Santi Aldama was the hero for Spain, leading his team with 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Sergio Llull and Lorenzo Brown also made significant contributions with 13 points and 10 assists, respectively. Spain's coach Sergio Scariolo revealed a strategic decision that played a crucial role in their victory, saying, "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength."
Greece received a notable performance from Vasilis Toliopoulos, who hit 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Spain's balanced attack.
Upcoming Matches
With these games concluded, the stage is set for the next round of matchups. Canada will face Spain on Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET, a game that promises to be a clash of titans. Australia will look to bounce back against Greece in an early matchup on Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET.
As the tournament progresses, the performances of top-tier players and the strategic decisions by coaches continue to captivate basketball fans. The compelling narratives unfolding on the court showcase the high stakes and intense competition that define the Olympics, keeping audiences eagerly anticipating the next games.