Olympics Roundup: Slovenia prevails in thriller over Spain
The 2020 Olympic Men’s Basketball Tournament continued Sunday with a thriller for the ages as Slovenia prevailed over Spain 95-87 and gave Slovenia first place in Group C. The final day of group play also saw Argentina beat Japan to book the final ticket to the quarterfinals. The draw was also held for the quarterfinals, and the final eight matchups are France vs. Italy, Slovenia vs. Germany, Spain vs. the United States, Australia vs. Argentina.
Slovenia vs. Spain 95-87
Slovenia secured the top spot in Group C as they knocked off Spain in an instant classic, winning 95-87 in a re-run of the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 semifinals – also won by Slovenia en route to the continental crown. In a battle of the reigning European and world champions, Slovenia trailed by 12 points early in the second half but charged back into the game and put away Spain with a 19-5 run over the final 6:23 minutes. Slovenia improved to 3-0 in Tokyo. The team’s record is now a perfect 16-0 when Luka Doncic plays for the country, going back to the team’s undefeated run to the EuroBasket 2017 title and winning the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Argentina vs. Japan 97-77
In the earlier game in Group C, Argentina locked up the final spot in the quarterfinals with a comfortable 97-77 victory over host Japan. The ageless wonder Luis Scola was unstoppable with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Facundo Campazzo collected 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists. Argentina finished third in the group with a 1-2 record and went into the final eight for the fifth straight Olympics as it was one of the best two third-placed teams along with Germany. Japan, which got 18 points from Yudai Baba and a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double from Rui Hachimura, failed to get a win. Argentina led by double digits for large stretches of the first half but was only up 46-42 early in the third quarter. The Albiceleste responded with an 11-2 run to go ahead 57-44, and Japan was never closer than eight points the rest of the way.