By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tony Parker finished the first half with fury, but Patty Mills was up for the challenge. Australia started the Olympic tournament with a crucial 87-66 win over France as the two San Antonio Spurs teammates faced each other in the first game of the Olympic schedule.
It was all about defense and concentration. France ended the game with 17 turnovers, while Australia dominated the paint with Andrew Bogut scoring 18 points, Andrew Baynes having 14 and Mat Dellavedova feeding them with 10 assists. And Mills was simply unstoppable with 21 points.
After leading by six (20-16) at the end of first quarter, Australia build a 34-19 lead. That was the point of the game during which Tony Parker took charge. The leader of the French scored 16 points and cut the lead of Australia to 3 (36-33) at the end of the first half.
Still the “Boomers” had not said their last word. With Mills answering and reaching also the 16 points mark, the third quarter ended with Australia having a 13 points advantage (61-48), the last period started with a 6-0 run (67-48) and France was soon trailing by 20 (72-52). There was not coming back after that.
Parker scored only two points in the second half and finished the game with 18, while Mickael Gelabale with 13 points was the only other player of France who scored in double digits.
