Josh Giddy scored 17 points in Australia’s opening win.
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The 2024 Olympic Games have officially begun in Paris, France. Group A — featuring Australia, Spain, Greece and Canada — kicks off the action on Saturday, July 27.
Follow the game update live from the first day of group play.
Group B: Germany 97, Japan 77
Germany took a 52-44 lead in the first half against Japan after dominating the paint. Germany shot 70 percent on 2-pointers in the first half. On the other end, Japan’s star duo of Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe both had strong performances, including a huge third quarter from Rui where he scored 10 of his 20 points.
Germany widened its lead in the second half, thanks to a balanced attack from its stars, Dennis Schroder (13 points, 12 assists), Daniel Theis (18 points), Franz Wagner (22 points) and Mortiz Wagner (15 points). With 68 points combined, Germany’s top players won 97-77 against Japan.
Group A: Australia 92, Spain 80
Australia’s Big 3 put on a show ????
Mills, Giddey and Landale combined for 56 PTS, 18 REB and 15 AST against Spain ????#Paris2024 X #Basketball pic.twitter.com/fyV8jvqaTg
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 27, 2024
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — Jock Landale had 20 points and nine rebounds and Australia beat Spain 92-80 on Saturday to open the group stage of the Olympic basketball tournament in Lille.
Patty Mills added 19 points and Josh Giddey chipped in with 17 to help Australia claim victory in Group A, which also includes Greece and Canada. Australia next face Canada on Tuesday, while Spain take on Greece.
Australia led by 14 points before Spain took over and used a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 56-54, in the third quarter. The Australians responded with a 15-4 run to close the period and never trailed again.
Josh Giddey had a solid 1H for Australia!
15 PTS (6-8 FGM) | 3AST | 3 REB | 2 3 p.m.
???? CNBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/HNsyhX9jEZ
— NBA (@NBA) July 27, 2024
Santi Aldama finished with 17 points for Spain. Sergio Llull added 17 points for the Spaniards, who made 12 three-pointers but shot 39 percent overall in the game at Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Australia established their presence in the paint early in the game, scoring 42 points in the paint and holding a 46-34 advantage in rebounds.
The Australians led 49-42 at halftime.
Australia took a 31-17 lead, with Jock Landale scoring eight early points.
Spain then took advantage of a 10-0 run that began at the end of the first quarter and continued into the second to get back into the game.
Spain opened the second half with a 14-6 run to take the lead, but Patty Mills and Jock Landale each hit crucial shots to regain control of the game for the Australians. After picking up the pace, Australia took the lead 69-60 at the end of the third quarter. Aldama (27 points) continued his form in the second half for Spain, his outside shooting keeping the Spaniards within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter.
In the end, the efficiency of the Australians (51% shooting and 50% from three-point range) prevented Spain from closing the gap. Giddey (17 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and Landale (20 points, 9 rebounds) were the best scorers in the Spanish victory in this group stage.
Welcome to the Olympics, Josh!
???????? Josh Giddey became the first player to combine 15+ PTS, 7+ REB and 7+ AST in his first Olympic game since Drazen Petrovic in 1984 against Germany.#Paris2024 X #Basketball pic.twitter.com/BOURgTobwe
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 27, 2024
Jock Landale was a FORCE for Australia ????
20 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 64.3% shooting success#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/uAmI2F5Pyu
— NBA (@NBA) July 27, 2024
