Canada triumphed over Australia in a thrilling "Group of Death" match at the 2024 Olympics, securing a 93-83 victory that catapulted them to the top of Group A. The game was a showcase of athleticism and strategy, featuring standout performances and crucial turnovers that ultimately decided the outcome.
RJ Barrett was the star of the evening for Canada, leading his team with 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in just 25 minutes of play. Barrett's ability to find scoring opportunities, even when plays weren’t designed for him, drew praise from Coach Jordi Fernandez, who remarked, "Sometimes plays aren't even called for him, yet he finds a way to score. He's that guy."
Australia put up a valiant fight, especially in the first half, where Josh Giddey notched 15 points by halftime. However, the team struggled to maintain their composure in the third quarter, committing nine turnovers that allowed Canada to gain momentum. Australia's coach Brian Goorjian noted the physical toll Canada's defensive pressure took on his squad, saying, "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 final quarter saw Canada clamp down on defense, holding Australia to just 13 points. This defensive effort was critical, as it facilitated Canada's ability to score 28 points off turnovers compared to Australia's 10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also made significant contributions for Canada, adding 16 points, three steals, and two blocked shots.
Despite the loss, Jock Landale shone for Australia, finishing the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. His performance displayed resilience in the face of formidable Canadian defense.
While Canada now sits atop Group A, Australia remains in second place. Meanwhile, Spain has claimed the third position following an 84-77 victory over Greece. The match between Spain and Greece was another highlight, with Giannis Antetokounmpo delivering a stellar performance for Greece, scoring 27 points along with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Santi Aldama was the standout for Spain, putting up 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Sergio Llull added 13 points to Spain's total, while Lorenzo Brown contributed seven points and 10 assists. Greece’s Vasilis Toliopoulos also made an impact off the bench, hitting 4-for-6 from deep in just 17 minutes of play.
Looking ahead, Canada is set to face Spain on Friday at 11:15 a.m. ET in what promises to be another intense matchup. Australia will compete against Greece on the same day at 7:30 a.m. ET. Spain's coach Sergio Scariolo hinted at further strategic maneuvers, saying, "We saved a crucial defensive strategy for the very end to exploit their pick-and-roll strength." As the tournament progresses, the performances of top-tier players and strategic decisions by coaches will continue to captivate basketball fans worldwide.