THE Japan and the Brazil still have no victories in these 2024 Olympic Games, but all hope is not lost for the two countries, before their final clash in the group stage…
Despite their poor “point average” (-24 and -25), there is still a scenario to get through: that of finishing in 3rd place thanks to a big victory, which would allow them to improve their “point average” to slip into the Top 8. And the problem, for Japan, is that Rui Hachimurainjured in the calf, is not dressed!
This allows Bruno Caboclo to do a huge job, with 15 points in the first quarter. Fortunately for Tom Hovasse's players, the power forward takes his second foul on the last possession of the period.
Behind the speed of Yuki Kawamura and the skill of Yuta Watanabe, Japan is thus yo-yoing, preventing the gap from swelling too much. Despite their 11/13 on 3-pointers, including a final shot from Leo Meindl, who takes over from Vitor Benite in the exercise, the Seleçao is at +11 (55-44) at the break. But they still need to widen the gap.
An end to the match that is good for the “point average”
As soon as they returned from the locker room, the Japanese seemed exhausted and could no longer hold on to access the circle. But Josh Hawkinson's 3-pointers kept them alive. And facing a Brazil that also seemed to want to catch its breath, Japan found energy again to prevent the opponent's transmissions in the paint.
The gap is closing, Brazil is getting annoyed and Vitor Benite even gets an offensive foul followed by a technical. Yuki Kawamura hurts the Brazilian defenders a lot and the gap has closed again (77-73) after three quarters. On the Brazilian bench, Aleksandar Petrovic is grumbling even more than usual.
Josh Hawkinson continues to punish from afar at the start of the fourth quarter (77-76) and Drazen's brother receives a technical for abusing complaints against the referees. Yuta Watanabe struggles, countering and then being countered. Marcelinho Huertas tries to push his team's lead. On their knees, the Japanese can no longer hold on and Brazil wins by 18 points (102-84). Japan is therefore eliminated while Brazil, with a victory and a “point average” returned to -7, can hope to slip into the quarter-finals among the two best 3rd!
Photo credit: FIBA
