SPAIN relied on their accurate three-point shooting in the first half before showing great poise down the stretch to repel Greece, 84-77, and stay alive for a quarterfinals spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament
The European champions drained seven three-pointers in a sizzling second quarter to create separation from the Greeks, before having to deal with a Giannis Antetokounmpo-powered comeback down the stretch inside Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
Leading by as many as 14, the Spaniards had to survive some shaky moments as Antetokounmpo and Vasilis Toliopoulos ignited a rally for the Greeks in the fourth quarter.
An Antetokounmpo dunk off the break tie the game at 71 with 4:35 remaining, but Spain responded in-kind as Santi Aldama led an 8-0 run for the Spaniards to create separation anew.
The Greeks wouldn’t go away though as they got to within a single-possession with seconds left – and even had the chance to tie the game – but Antetokounmpo missed a three-pointer as Spain finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Aldama led the way for Spain as the Memphis Grizzlies big man dropped 19 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.
He also found huge help from his hot-shooting veteran teammates in Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez.
Llull finished with 13 points anchored on three-treys, while Fernandez – the most senior player in the tournament with six Olympic appearances – turned back the hands of time by also draining three three-pointers while scoring 10 points.
The win put Spain’s fate into their own hands as they improved to 1-1 in Group B with first day winners Australia and Canada playing as of writing time.
Antetokounmpo paced Greece with 27 points, 12 rebounds and two steals but they’re gonna have to win their final game against Australia – and win big – if they want a chance to qualify by virtue of being one of the two best third-placers in the three groups.
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