By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
LILLE, France – Surviving the Japanese comeback in the second half, Brazil got the job done to keep hoping about making it to the next phase at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
Brazil is currently -7 in points differential after getting today’s 102-84 win and will wait for the rest of the games in Gameday 3 to find out more about the future. France and Germany already qualified for the next round, but the South Americans can hope to be two of the best third-classified teams.
Already dominating at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Bruno Caboclo was crucial for his team’s win, as the Brazilian center finished the game with a double-double of 33 points plus 17 rebounds.
“When I am not in foul trouble, I know I can play like that and at least be a true factor on the defensive end”, said Caboclo after the game.
Vitor Benite had 19 over 5/7 from deep for Brazil, while Marcelinho Huertas conducted his team’s offensive plays in the room control, finishing with 13 points and 8 assists.
Josh Hawkinson scored 23 points – putting up 16 only in the third period – and Yuki Kawamura added 21 plus 10 assists for Japan, committing just two turnovers. With three defeats out of three, Japan is eliminated from contention at the bottom in Group B.
Stellar shooting in the first half was not enough
Playing without injured Ruy Hatchimura, Japan has lost a 22-point scorer and Brazil took advantage of this, opening the court and playing as fast as possible.
After the first quarter, the South Americans were leading by 11 (31-20) and by shooting an incredible 85% in threes (11/13), Brazil managed to lead 55-44 after the first half. Bruno Caboclo was taking care of the inside game with 16 first-half points.
Brazil jumped to a 15-point lead (62-47) after one more three by Gui Santos at the start of the third period.
Still, Japan reacted with Hawkinson taking charge and scoring 20 points in 22 minutes to make it a nine-point game (57-66).
Brazil was rattled and Japan closed the gap to two points (75-73) after a three by Kawamura, while the third period ended with Brazil up by four (77-73).
A strong finish finish
With third place on the line, the fight continued until the end with Brazil never losing the lead and the two teams leaving everything on the court.
To be exact, after one more three by Hawkinson, Japan trimmed the lead to one (77-76) but that was the closer they would get.
Japan couldn’t do anything but surrender to the Brazilian outburst on offense going to the final stretch of the game as the partial score in the fourth period was 25-11 for Brazil.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA Basketball