An Olympics berth has eluded Giannis Antetokounmpo to date throughout his basketball profession. He’s yet 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 match.
“Since coach (Vassilis) Spanoulis took this entire deal over, it has been one purpose and that is to get to the Olympics,” Walkup mentioned. “We’re one recreation away from it. We have now to remain humble and centered.”
Doncic completed with 21 factors within the recreation 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 mentioned. “I feel they’ve an incredible crew. Clearly, they’ve Giannis. However different items are essential for them, too. They usually’re very well-coached. … They outplayed us at the moment.”
The matchup was one among eight semifinals happening to find out the final 4 berths within the males’s basketball subject for the Paris Video games.
Vasileios Toliopoulos added 14 factors for Greece, which is able to meet Croatia on Sunday within the last of the Greece match, with the Paris Olympics berth going to the winner.
Different semifinal video games befell Saturday at tournaments in Spain, Latvia and Puerto Rico.
Doncic, who performed via 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 long way and carried a 16-point edge into the fourth quarter.
Slovenia shot simply 43% (23 of 54) from the sphere 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 sphere 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 last with Greece for an opportunity at making again to the Olympics for the primary time since 2016.
Christopher Duarte completed with 17 factors to steer the Dominican Republic.
The sport featured 13 ties and 6 lead modifications and was doubtful heading into the ultimate seconds.
Trailing 78-74, the Dominican Republic’s Jean Montero acquired 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 a degree.
The Dominican Republic rapidly fouled Mario Hezonja, who related on each of his ensuing free throws.
Duarte acquired a superb 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 match.
Marcelinho Huertas added 13 factors to assist Brazil preserve alive hopes of enjoying in its first Olympics since 2016.
The Brazilians will meet Latvia on Sunday within the finals of that match.
Justin Brownlee completed with 15 factors and eight rebounds to steer the Philippines, which shot simply 38% from the sphere (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 last interval. The Philippines acquired 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 last towards Brazil, the place it will likely be trying 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 acquired inside 65-59 with 2:14 remaining on a layup by Brice Eyaga Bidias. However Latvia was in a position to 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 steer the Bahamas previous Lebanon 89-72.
Buddy Hield chipped in 19 factors and 10 assists to assist the Bahamas transfer inside a win of creating its first Olympics subject. It is going to meet Spain in Sunday’s last.
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 last towards the Bahamas. Spain might be in search of 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 modifications throughout a livid last 10 minutes.
Finland carried a 59-56 lead into the interval and took its last lead at 66-64 on a 3-pointer by Elias Valtonen. However Spain outscored Finland 18-8 the remainder of means.
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AP Summer time Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games