An Olympics berth has eluded Giannis Antetokounmpo thus far throughout his basketball profession. He’s another victory away from altering that.
Thomas Walkup had 19 factors, Antetokounmpo added 13 factors in 21 minutes and Greece moved one victory from the Paris Video games, eliminating Luka Doncic and Slovenia 96-68 on Saturday from the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying event.
“Since coach (Vassilis) Spanoulis took this entire deal over, it’s been one purpose and that’s to get to the Olympics,” Walkup stated. “We’re one sport away from it. We now have to remain humble and targeted.”
Doncic completed with 21 factors within the sport in Piraeus, Greece, which marked first time the 2 NBA megastars confronted each other whereas representing their senior nationwide groups.
“They performed means higher than us. They have been far more aggressive,” Doncic stated. “I believe they’ve a tremendous workforce. Clearly, they’ve Giannis. However different items are essential for them, too. And so they’re very well-coached. … They outplayed us immediately.”
The matchup was one among eight semifinals going down to find out the final 4 berths within the males’s basketball discipline for the Paris Video games.
Vasileios Toliopoulos added 14 factors for Greece, which is able to meet Croatia on Sunday within the ultimate of the Greece event, with the Paris Olympics berth going to the winner.
Different semifinal video games occurred Saturday at tournaments in Spain, Latvia and Puerto Rico.
Doncic, who performed by way of accidents within the NBA Finals for the Dallas Mavericks of their five-game loss to the Boston Celtics, averaged 31 factors in Slovenia’s first two qualifying video games. However he got here out flat on Saturday towards Greece’s huge entrance line.
Slovenia was placed on its heels early, as Greece scored the sport’s first 13 factors and took a 32-14 lead on the finish of the primary quarter.
Greece’s benefit grew as excessive as 23 factors within the second quarter earlier than Slovenia used a late flurry to chop it to 47-33 on the half.
Greece got here out quick once more within the third, utilizing a 11-3 run to get a ways and carried a 16-point edge into the fourth quarter.
Slovenia shot simply 43% (23 of 54) from the sector for the sport. That in comparison with 54% (34 of 70) for Greece, which additionally held a 38-25 rebounding edge.
Croatia 80, Dominican Republic 77
Ivica Zubac went 10 of 10 from the sector and completed with 25 factors and 9 rebounds to assist Croatia outlast the Dominican Republic in Greece’s second semifinals of the day.
Dario Saric and Jaleen Smith added 14 factors apiece to place Croatia into Sunday’s ultimate with Greece for an opportunity at making again to the Olympics for the primary time since 2016.
Christopher Duarte completed with 17 factors to guide the Dominican Republic.
The sport featured 13 ties and 6 lead adjustments and was unsure heading into the ultimate seconds.
Trailing 78-74, the Dominican Republic’s Jean Montero bought a steal and was fouled on a 3-point try with 3 seconds left by Croatia’s Smith.
Montero transformed all three ensuing free throws to chop the deficit to some extent.
The Dominican Republic rapidly fouled Mario Hezonja, who linked on each of his ensuing free throws.
Duarte bought a very good take a look at a 3 on the buzzer, however his shot rimmed out.
Brazil 71, Philippines 60
In Riga, Latvia, Bruno Caboclo had 15 factors and 11 rebounds, and Brazil defeated the Philippines 71-60 to advance to the finals of that event.
Marcelinho Huertas added 13 factors to assist Brazil maintain alive hopes of enjoying in its first Olympics since 2016.
The Brazilians will meet Latvia on Sunday within the finals of that event.
Justin Brownlee completed with 15 factors and eight rebounds to guide the Philippines, which shot simply 38% from the sector (24 of 64) for the sport and had 15 turnovers.
The Philippines led 33-27 at halftime earlier than Brazil opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run. It was a part of a 24-6 quarter for Brazil, which took a 51-39 lead into the fourth.
It was extra the identical within the ultimate interval. The Philippines bought as shut as 53-46, earlier than Brazil responded with an 8-0 run to assist put the sport away.
Latvia 72, Cameroon 59
Within the second semifinal in Riga, Rihards Lomazs scored 20 factors and Latvia withstood a number of late pushes to carry off Cameroon 72-59.
Rolands Smits added 13 factors to assist Latvia advance to Sunday’s ultimate towards Brazil, the place it is going to be seeking to earn its first Olympics look since 1936.
Latvia carried a 53-50 lead into the fourth quarter and began the ultimate interval with a 9-0 run.
Cameroon bought inside 65-59 with 2:14 remaining on a layup by Brice Eyaga Bidias. However Latvia was capable of shut the sport out on the free throw line.
Williams Narace led Cameroon with 14 factors.
Bahamas 89, Lebanon 72
In Valencia, Spain, Deandre Ayton had 24 factors and 15 rebounds to guide the Bahamas previous Lebanon 89-72.
Buddy Hield chipped in 19 factors and 10 assists to assist the Bahamas transfer inside a win of constructing its first Olympics discipline. It can meet Spain in Sunday’s ultimate.
The Bahamas led by as many as 20 within the first half.
Lebanon whittled that deficit right down to 75-68 within the fourth quarter. However the Bahamas outscored Lebanon 14-4 over the ultimate 3:50.
Sergio El Darwich led Lebanon with 22 factors.
Spain 81, Finland 74
Willy Hernangomez scored 28 factors and Spain rallied within the fourth quarter to beat Finland 81-74 in Valencia’s second semifinal of the day.
Lorenzo Brown and Santiago Aldama added 15 factors apiece to ship Spain into Sunday’s ultimate towards the Bahamas. Spain can be searching for a seventh consecutive Olympic berth.
Andre Gustavson had 15 factors for Finland, which hasn’t gotten to the Olympics since 1964.
There have been three lead adjustments throughout a livid ultimate 10 minutes.
Finland carried a 59-56 lead into the interval and took its ultimate lead at 66-64 on a 3-pointer by Elias Valtonen. However Spain outscored Finland 18-8 the remainder of means.
Lithuania 88, Italy 64
Marius Grigonis scored 23 factors, together with six 3-pointers, the assistance Lithuania ease previous Italy 88-64 and to advance to the finals of the San Juan, Puerto Rico event.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas added 14 factors to maintain Lithuania on observe to qualify for its first Olympic event since 2016. It can meet the winner of Puerto Rico and Mexico on Sunday.
Lithuania blew the sport open with a 21-4 run that started within the second quarter and lasted into the third because it opened a 59-40 lead.
Danilo Gallinari led Italy with 15 factors.
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AP Summer time Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games