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VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France (AP) — Canada was tested, then held on to get its first Olympic win in 24 years.
RJ Barrett scored 23 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 21 and Canada survived a big effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat Greece 86-79 in the Paris Olympics opener for both teams in Group A play on Saturday night.
Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 34 points for Greece. Dillon Brooks scored 14 for Canada.
Even though Antetokounmpo had the big night, Barrett lauded the waves of defenders Canada threw his way.
“That’s why you have the word ‘team,’” Barrett said. “It’s not one guy. It’s all of us, all together. Everybody has their part to do. Playing Giannis is not an easy task.”
Canada led by as many as 16 and never trailed, though Greece made matters very interesting in the final moments. Vasilis Toilopoulos scored with 1:15 remaining to get Greece within four and a Canada turnover on the next possession led to a dunk by Antetokounmpo to cut the lead to 80-78.
But Gilgeous-Alexander got a high-arching shot over Antetokounmpo's outstretched arm to kiss off the glass for a score with 42.8 seconds left, restoring the four-point edge, and Canada would escape.
“They’re a really good team so that’s going to happen,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They’re not going to quit, obviously. So we expected that. We expected we’d make our run and they’d have a little more juice and make their run. For us it was just about weathering the storms, and kind of sticking to our game plan throughout the runs. Basketball is a game of ups and downs. We just try to weather the other teams' better than they weather yours.”
There were 52 fouls called in the game resulting in 64 free throws — 32 for each team.
It was Canada's first Olympic men's basketball win since 2000 at Sydney. The Canadians hadn't made an Olympic tournament since — but earned this spot after a run to the bronze medal at the World Cup last summer in the Philippines.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks to help France overcome an early deficit and get past Brazil in Group B.
“We're all here for a purpose,” Wembanyama said.
France coach Vincent Collet acknowledged he noticed Wembanyama consumed by something he'd never seen on the young phenom this week: anxiety.
“I think for the first time in his career he was a little bit stressed this week,” Collet said. “I tried to help him. He's so mature that day-by-day he got better. ... People who know basketball understand he's only 20 years (old). People, they like sports but they do not know basketball, they think Victor is always Michael Jordan."
Almost, though?
“He's not far, but he still needs some time,” Collet said with a smile.
Nicolas Batum added 19 points for France, which was showered with chants of “Les Bleus!” France next plays Japan, which lost Saturday to Germany, on Tuesday. Brazil has Germany next.
Leo Meindl and Cristiano Felicio led Brazil with 14 points apiece.
Jock Landale had 20 points and nine rebounds and Australia opened Group A play with a win.
Patty Mills scored 19 points and Josh Giddey added 17 to lift Australia, which is tied with Canada atop Group A. Australia faces Canada on Tuesday, while Spain will face Greece in a game that will be big for both teams in terms of making the knockout stage.
“They made two heavy runs at us and then took the lead. I thought we were fearless and were courageous, and I thought we had great guard play,” Australia coach Brian Goorjian said. “Just a good contribution from everybody.”
Santi Aldama scored 27 points for Spain and Sergio Llull added 17 points.
With 2:13 remaining in the period, Spain’s Usman Garuba set a hard screen on Australia’s Josh Green, sending him stumbling backward. Green took exception and got in Garuba’s face. Garuba slapped Green’s hand away and Will Magnay stepped in to defend his teammate, prompting Garuba to shove him.
Referees reviewed the incident and accessed double unsportsmanlike fouls on Garuba and Magnay. Two more incidents also resulted in brief game stoppages.
Franz Wagner had 22 points and six rebounds, and Germany pulled away from Japan in the second half to secure a Group B win.
Daniel Theis added 18 points and seven rebounds. Moritz Wagner scored 15 for the defending World Cup champions, who never trailed and face Brazil on Tuesday. Japan takes on Olympics host France that same day.
“We kind of got a target on our back after last year's success," Theis said. “Everybody wants to beat the world champion."
Rui Hachimura finished with 20 points for Japan, which has only 13 wins in its seven Olympic appearances.
“We know we're organized, so we have to get together,” Hachimura said. “We've got to know what we're doing.”
Dennis Schroder had 13 points and 12 assists for Germany, which entered the Olympics ranked third in FIBA’s world rankings behind the U.S. and Spain.
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
