On August 2, the Olympic men’s basketball group stage continued with a match between Japan and Brazil.
In the first quarter, Hoggins scored on an alley-oop, Huertas hit a jump shot from the free-throw line, and Hoggins scored again with a high shot. Japan went on a 7-2 run, but Caboclo responded with a three-pointer. Huertas then hit a mid-range shot, and Brazil responded with a 10-2 run. Yuki Togashi hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding and followed up with a strong two-point basket. In the first five minutes of the quarter, Japan trailed Brazil 13-14. Santos scored with a fast-break layup, Caboclo made a putback and then hit a three-pointer, creating a nine-point lead for Brazil and forcing a timeout by Japan. Shintaro Iwade and Caboclo traded three-pointers, and thanks to a three-pointer by Yuta Watanabe, the first quarter ended with Japan trailing Brazil 20-31.
In the second quarter, Watanabe hit a three-pointer and then completed a three-point play at the basket. Bennett hit a two-point jump shot, and Yudai Nagatsuka hit a strong three-pointer, putting Japan behind 29-36 against Brazil. Watanabe and Dias traded three-pointers, Jacob scored on a cut to the basket, and Japan narrowed the gap to three points. Bennett then hit two consecutive three-pointers, and by the 2:23 mark of the second quarter, Brazil had hit 10 of their 11 three-point attempts. Watanabe responded with a difficult three-pointer, Mendel hit another three, and the half ended with Japan trailing Brazil 44-55.
In the third quarter, Caboclo hit a jump shot from the free-throw line, Hoggins hit a three-pointer, and Santos responded with a three-pointer of his own. Brazil maintained a 12-point lead, which forced a timeout by Japan as Watanabe missed several three-point attempts. Caboclo scored in the post, extending Brazil’s lead to 16 points. Hoggins hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding and made both free throws after drawing a foul while driving to the basket. At the end of the third quarter, Japan was down 59-66 against Brazil. Huertas received a technical foul for an emotional outburst, and Togashi made the technical free throw. Caboclo scored on a floater, Watanabe hit a three-pointer, and Caboclo scored again in the paint. Togashi hit another three-pointer, and the third quarter ended with Japan trailing Brazil 73-77.
In the fourth quarter, Hoggins hit another three-pointer, Caboclo scored inside and made one of two free throws, and Brazil received another technical foul. Togashi made the technical free throw, and Yudai Nagatsuka and Bennett traded three-pointers. The score fluctuated within a five-point margin. In the latter part of the fourth quarter, Brazil’s men’s team scored several baskets in a row, expanding the lead into double digits. As time ran out, Japan failed to catch up, and the game gradually lost its suspense.
In the end, Brazil’s men’s team defeated Japan 102-84, securing their first win in the group stage and locking in third place in the group.
Statistical summary for both teams:
Japan: Hoggins 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists; Togashi 21 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal; Watanabe 14 points, 9 rebounds; Yudai Nagatsuka 11 points, 1 assist, 1 steal; Yudai Yoshii 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Yuta Watanabe 3 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists; Keita Furuoka 2 points, 1 steal; Jacobus 2 points; Shintaro Iwade 4 rebounds, 2 assists; Ryo Watanabe 1 rebound, 1 assist; Thibaut Hall 1 rebound;
Brazil: Caboclo 33 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist; Alves 19 points; Huertas 13 points, 1 rebound, 8 assists; Maindrel 9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Neto 8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists; Matheus 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; Santos 5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Paula 3 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals; Dias 3 points, 1 rebound; Louzada 2 points, 1 rebound; Felicio 3 rebounds;
Starting Lineups
Japan: Togashi, Iwade, Watanabe, Hoggins, Yoshii
Brazil: Huertas, Santos, Mendel, Paula, Caboclo