Canada emerged victorious against Australia in what was undoubtedly the "Group of Death" match at the 2024 Olympics, securing a hard-fought 93-83 win. With this pivotal victory, Canada now sits comfortably at the top of Group A.
The night belonged to RJ Barrett, who led Canada with an impressive stat line of 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in just 25 minutes of action. His dominance was so pronounced that even plays not specifically called for him ended up in the basket. "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy," said Coach Jordi Fernandez, encapsulating the essence of Barrett's performance.
On the Australian side, Josh Giddey managed to put up 15 points by halftime, showing early promise. However, things took a turn for the worse in the third quarter, where Australia was plagued by nine turnovers, fundamentally destabilizing their momentum. "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," lamented Australia's coach Brian Goorjian, pointing to Canada’s relentless pressure.
The fourth quarter saw Canada tightening their defensive grip, holding the Australians to just 13 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added significant support with 16 points, along with three steals and two blocked shots. The Canadian defense translated Australia's nine turnovers into 28 points, a stark contrast to Australia’s 10 points off Canadian turnovers.
Making a significant impact for Australia was Jock Landale, who finished the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Despite his efforts, Australia's inability to protect the ball in the crucial moments allowed Canada to capitalize and secure their victory.
Meanwhile, Spain holds third place in Group A after securing an 84-77 victory over Greece. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece with a stellar performance, contributing 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. However, it was Santi Aldama who shone for Spain, recording 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Sergio Llull added 13 points, and Lorenzo Brown made his presence felt with seven points and 10 assists. Greece’s Vasilis Toliopoulos also proved a formidable force off the bench, shooting 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes of play.
Spain's strategy was instrumental in their win. "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength," revealed Spain coach Sergio Scariolo, highlighting the tactical approach that ultimately subdued Greece.
Looking ahead, Canada will compete against Spain on Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET, an encounter that promises to be a thrilling contest between the top two contenders in the group. On the same day, Australia will face Greece at 7:30 a.m. ET, a match that holds significant implications for both teams as they vie for higher rankings in the group.
As the tournament progresses, the high-stakes performances of top-tier players and strategic decisions by experienced coaches are capturing the attention of basketball fans worldwide. The dynamic nature of Olympic basketball continues to deliver excitement and unforgettable moments on the court.