VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, Franc — Bruno Caboclo had 33 factors and 17 rebounds as Brazil beat Japan 102-84 on Friday to remain in rivalry for the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics males’s basketball match.
Vitor Benite added 19 factors for Brazil, which completed third in Group B behind France and Germany.
The highest two groups in every of the three teams robotically qualify for the quarterfinals. The ultimate two spots within the subsequent spherical go to the perfect third-place groups in group play.
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Foul hassle restricted Caboclo in Brazil’s earlier losses to France and Germany. He went scoreless in opposition to France and had simply six factors in 12 minutes of motion in opposition to Germany earlier than fouling out. He stayed on the courtroom this time and made his presence felt.
“That is the largest stage of basketball,” stated the 28-year-old Caboclo, who performed seven NBA seasons for Toronto, Sacramento, Memphis and Houston from 2014 to 2021. “The worldwide group I feel is larger than NBA. The Olympics is the largest on the planet. Each athlete needs to be right here no less than one time. We have been in a position to accomplish that. Hopefully we will go to the quarterfinals.”
Josh Hawkinson led Japan with 26 factors and 10 rebounds. Yuki Kawamura completed with 21 factors and 10 assists.
Japan performed with out prime scorer Rui Hachimura. Japan’s basketball federation stated earlier than the sport that Hachimura had left France after sustaining a left calf harm throughout its extra time loss to France.
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Japan misplaced all three of its video games in pool play and has been eradicated.
“As my harm required early remedy, I used to be sadly unable to accompany the group in accordance with NBA/FIBA guidelines,” Hachimura, who performs for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, stated in an announcement.
“I wish to thank all of the spectators who supported me on the venue, basketball followers world wide, and all of the followers in Japan. I feel that along with my teammates, we performed an excellent recreation for Japanese basketball. I’m proud to have been in a position to play as a member of Akatsuki Japan.”
The USA (Group C) and Canada (Group A) started the day having already certified for the knockout spherical.
It was a battle of the large males, with Caboclo and Hawkinson buying and selling baskets all through.
Caboclo scored 15 of Brazil’s first 31 factors, serving to it construct a 16-point lead within the third quarter. However Japan rallied and acquired again inside 77-73 getting into the fourth.
Yudai Baba reduce the deficit to 82-20 with simply over seven minutes to play. Brazil closed the sport on a 22-4 run.
Observe Inquirer Sports activities’ particular protection of the Paris Olympics 2024.