Canada has claimed a decisive victory over Australia in what was dubbed the "Group of Death" matchup at the 2024 Olympics. The 93-83 win not only solidifies Canada’s dominance but also secures their position at the top of Group A, leaving Australia in second place.
The game was a showcase of talent and team synergy, led by RJ Barrett, who delivered a stellar performance. Barrett scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists, and secured two steals in just 25 minutes on the court. His ability to find opportunities, even when plays weren't explicitly set up for him, was a key factor in Canada's success. As Coach Jordi Fernandez aptly stated, "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy."
Australia started strong, with Josh Giddey scoring 15 points by halftime. However, the tide turned dramatically in the third quarter, where they were plagued by nine turnovers. Canada capitalized on these mistakes, scoring a remarkable 28 points off turnovers compared to Australia's mere 10. Australia's coach, Brian Goorjian, acknowledged the impact of Canada's relentless pressure, noting, "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."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also played a crucial role for Canada, contributing 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots. On the Australian side, Jock Landale stood out with his performance, finishing the game with a double-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. However, these efforts were insufficient to overcome Canada's dominance, especially in the fourth quarter where Australia was held to just 13 points.
In another Group A matchup, Spain emerged victorious over Greece with an 84-77 win. This places Spain in third place in the group standings. Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a remarkable display, scoring 27 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and adding three assists and two steals. Santi Aldama was the standout for Spain, leading his team with 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Sergio Llull chipped in with 13 points, while Lorenzo Brown facilitated with seven points and 10 assists. Greece's Vasilis Toliopoulos also made a notable impact, hitting 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes off the bench.
Looking ahead, Canada will face Spain in a highly anticipated matchup on Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET. This game is set to be a critical showdown that could further shake up the group standings. Australia's next challenge will be against Greece on Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET, a game that promises intense competition and high stakes for both teams.
As the tournament progresses, the performances of top-tier players and strategic decisions by coaches continue to captivate basketball fans. Spain coach Sergio Scariolo emphasized the importance of tactical planning, revealing, "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength." Such strategies and individual feats unfold a thrilling narrative that reflects the fierce international competition and the pursuit of Olympic glory.