Canada emerged victorious against Australia in a high-stakes "Group of Death" match at the 2024 Olympics, clinching a 93-83 win and securing their place at the top of Group A. Their impressive performance showcased the team’s resilience and depth, leaving Australia in second place.
RJ Barrett Leads the Charge
Canada's triumph was spearheaded by RJ Barrett, who delivered an outstanding performance with 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in just 25 minutes. His coach, Jordi Fernandez, lauded Barrett's ability to find scoring opportunities even when plays weren't specifically designed for him, saying, "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy."
Equally noteworthy was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's contribution. The star guard added 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots, further underscoring Canada's defensive intensity. Canada capitalized on Australia’s mistakes, scoring a staggering 28 points off turnovers compared to Australia’s 10.
Australia’s Struggles
For Australia, the game was a mix of promise and pitfalls. Josh Giddey shone brightly in the first half, scoring 15 points by halftime. However, Australia's momentum faltered in the third quarter where they committed nine turnovers, struggling to maintain their offensive rhythm under Canada’s relentless pressure. "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," admitted Australia’s coach Brian Goorjian.
The fourth quarter saw Australia scoring a mere 13 points, a testament to Canada's stifling defense. Despite Jock Landale's commendable effort—finishing the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists—Australia couldn’t bridge the gap, eventually falling short by 10 points.
Other Group A Highlights
Meanwhile, Spain solidified their position in Group A by securing an 84-77 victory over Greece. Giannis Antetokounmpo's 27-point performance, accompanied by 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, was not enough to propel Greece to a win. Spain's strategy, led by coach Sergio Scariolo, proved effective down the stretch. "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength," Scariolo explained.
Santi Aldama was the standout player for Spain, leading the team with 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Contributions from Sergio Llull, who added 13 points, and Lorenzo Brown, with seven points and 10 assists, highlighted Spain's balanced attack. Greece’s Vasilis Toliopoulos provided a spark off the bench, hitting 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Looking Ahead
The Olympic basketball tournament continues to captivate fans with thrilling matchups and standout performances. On Friday, Canada will face Spain at 11:15 a.m. ET, a game that promises to be a significant test for both teams. Earlier that day, Australia will go up against Greece at 7:30 a.m. ET, with both teams eager to bounce back from their recent losses.
As the tournament progresses, the performances of top-tier players and strategic decisions by coaches will continue to define the path to Olympic glory. Fans eagerly await the upcoming contests, expecting nothing less than high-quality basketball that keeps them on the edge of their seats.