Canada’s basketball team secured a significant victory against Australia with a 93-83 win in the Group of Death match at the 2024 Olympics, propelling them to the top of Group A. The dynamic performance, spearheaded by RJ Barrett, showcased the team’s resilience and depth, ensuring a crucial position as the competition progresses.
RJ Barrett shone brightly, amassing 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals within just 25 minutes on the court. His remarkable contribution did not go unnoticed, with Coach Jordi Fernandez stating, "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy."
Australia, although putting up a tenacious fight, remained second in Group A after the match. Josh Giddey was a standout performer for the Aussies, leading with 15 points by halftime. Despite their efforts, Australia's nine turnovers in the third quarter proved costly as Canada managed to tighten their grip on the game.
Canada’s Defensive Masterclass
The Canadian team’s defensive prowess was particularly evident in the latter stages of the game. Holding Australia to just 13 points in the fourth quarter underscored their strategic acumen and physical conditioning. Coach Brian Goorjian of Australia noted, "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."
The discrepancy in points scored off turnovers was another critical difference, with Canada capitalizing on 28 points compared to Australia's 10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor, contributing 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots, further demonstrating Canada’s defensive and offensive balance.
Australia’s Key Players
Despite their loss, several Australian players had noteworthy performances. Jock Landale was impressive, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. His efforts kept Australia in contention throughout the game, reflecting his importance to the team’s strategy.
Spain Triumphs Over Greece
In another critical Group A matchup, Spain emerged victorious against Greece with an 84-77 win. This result placed Spain in third place in the group. Santi Aldama was instrumental for Spain, leading the team with 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Veteran player Sergio Llull added 13 points, while Lorenzo Brown facilitated with seven points and 10 assists.
Greece’s effort was led by the formidable Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 27 points, collected 11 rebounds, and provided three assists along with two steals. Despite his stellar performance, Greece fell short against a well-coordinated Spanish team. Off the bench, Vasilis Toliopoulos made a significant impact, hitting 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, Canada will face Spain at 11:15 a.m. ET on Friday, a matchup that promises to be a thrilling encounter, given both teams' current form. On the same day, Australia will clash with Greece at 7:30 a.m. ET, a crucial game for both sides as they aim to solidify their standings in Group A.
As Coach Sergio Scariolo of Spain aptly summarized, "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength," indicating the level of tactical planning that has been integral to victories so far. The continued performances of top-tier players and strategic decisions by coaches will undoubtedly captivate basketball fans as the tournament progresses.