2016 Olympic Games: Day 4 roundup
Day 4 of the 2014 Olympic Games was reserved for Group B action, with Group A completing their second game on Day 3 of the men’s Basketball tournament. During the day of play on Tuesday, both Argentina and Lithuania remained undefeated at the top of the standings, while hosts Brazil got off the mark with its first win.
On the losing end, Croatia tasted its first defeat, while Nigeria lost its second on the bounce. That unwanted winless record also goes to Spain, with the Europeans finding the going tough in Rio so far this week. There are still three games remaining in the group, but time is running out for those needing wins, while teams sitting pretty can already taste the knock-out stages.
Argentina vs. Croatia, 90-82
Argentina was the last team to win the Olympics other than the United States. The country claimed gold in Athens in 2004. Despite that success coming over a decade ago, much of the Argentine roster remains the same. The veterans have the know how to go all the way, but will the legs take them there?
On evidence so far, it is possible. Argentina went 2-0 in the 2016 Olympic Games with a routine win over a tricky Croatia team. The South American led by 4 points through halftime and then settled it with a huge 27-14 run in the third act. Luis Scola topped Argentina with 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili and Nicolas Laprovittola added to the win with 13 points apiece. Dario Saric showed his worth to Croatia with a stunning contribution of 19 points, 10 boards, and 7 assists.
Lithuania vs. Nigeria, 89-80
Lithuania outlasted an improved Nigeria to win its second consecutive contest and tie Argentina at the top of the Group B standing with an unblemished record. Lithuania is always a threat at the Olympics and has been a consistent country in the final four of the competition. Indeed, between 1992 and 2000 the team collected the bronze. Since then, two fourth place finished have come to the Lithuanians in 2004 and 2008.
So far it seems that the Europeans could go deep into the tournament again. Against Nigeria Lithuania led throughout and carried a healthy lead through thirty minutes. So much so that they could afford to weather a massive 25 points fourth quarter from Nigeria and still claim the win. Jonas Maciulis and Mantas Kalnietis set the tone with 21 points each in the winning effort.
Brazil vs. Spain, 66-65
A testing opening quarter showed both teams struggling with nerves. This was a big early game in the Olympic tournament with both sets of players thinking a win was needed. Brazil slowly gained confidence and finished the first term leading 18-13. The second frame followed in a similar vein, but Spain used a 16-18 winning period to make it a three point game. At the midway rest the scoreboard read 34-31 to Brazil.
The hosts still had the momentum though and in the third act managed to extend its advantage with a solid quarter. Through thirty minutes the home fans were dancing to the tune of a 53-45 advantage. Spain finally started clicking in offence during the fourth quarter, and a Sergio Llull triple handed the European the lead with a minute to play. However, with second remaining Marquinhos Vieira tipped in to break Spanish hearts. The visitors could not recover with a bucket in the final play.