On July 27, in today’s Group B Olympic men’s basketball match, the German national team faces off against the Japanese national team.
The game begins with Dennis Schröder scoring first with a jump shot. Rui Hachimura breaks the deadlock after several missed attempts by hitting a mid-range shot. Subsequently, Yuta Watanabe and Jonas Wagener both hit three-pointers, and Daniel Theis helps Germany build a lead with a combination of drives and outside shooting. Not to be outdone, Yuta Watanabe hits mid-range shots and three-pointers to help his team catch up. The two teams are closely matched in the first quarter, with Franz Wagner completing a 2+1 play and then making two free throws after being fouled.
At the end of the first quarter, Germany leads 28-21 over Japan.
In the second quarter, Yuta Watanabe scores two points with a Euro step move, and Isaac Bonga misses a layup but gets his own rebound for a basket. Rui Hachimura completes an impressive one-armed dunk, and Franz Wagner responds with a flying layup. Led by Isaac Bonga and Franz Wagner, Germany extends their lead into double digits, prompting a timeout from Japan. Thereafter, Germany continues to control the game, and after a Rui Hachimura turnover, Moritz Wagner hits a three-pointer. Javon McCrea makes a layup and draws a foul, converting both free throws. A three-pointer from Yuta Watanabe and a layup by Javon McCrea bring the score back to an 11-point difference. Then, Germany experiences consecutive misses on offense, and Ryoichi Kawai draws a foul on Moritz Wagner, making both free throws. Paul Obst hits a three-pointer, and Rui Hachimura draws a foul, also making both free throws. In the final play of the half, Moritz Wagner’s three-point attempt is unsuccessful.
At halftime, Germany leads 52-44 over Japan.
Halftime Stats:
Germany: Wagner, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Bonga, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Wagner, 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Theis, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal; Schröder, 6 points, 5 assists; Timm, 3 points, 1 assist; Vogtmann, 3 points, 1 rebound; Obst, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Lo, 1 rebound, 2 assists;
Japan: Yuta Watanabe, 13 points, 1 rebound; Rui Hachimura, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; Hokkisei, 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Yuki Togashi, 5 points, 2 assists; Yudai Yoshii, 5 points, 3 rebounds; Ryoichi Kawai, 5 points, 5 assists, 1 steal; Yudai Baba, 1 rebound; Shintaro Kaneko, 1 steal;