London 2012 Olympic Basketball - Day 1 - Hoopsfix.com

London 2012 Olympic Basketball – Day 1

Olympic Basketball Arena

Great Britain’s basketball team returned to the Olympics for the first time since 1948 on Sunday, but suffered a heavy 95-75 loss at the hands of Russia.

Russia’s Aleksey Shved (16 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 3 steals) and Andrei Kirilenko (35 points on 14/17 shooting) showed their class as they picked apart GB, who struggled under pressure in the back court with a lack of point guard play.

Luol Deng led GB with 26 points, and Pops Mensah-Bonsu added 22 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out.

GB will now look to bounce back on Tuesday as they face Brazil.

Box score.

Other Games

Game 1
Nigeria beat Tunisia 60-56

Alade Aminu led Nigeria with 15 points and 9 rebounds, Ike Diogu had a 13 point, 10 rebound double double and Al-Farouq Aminu added 10 points and 9 rebounds. Tunisia were led by 18 points from Amine Rzig, whilst Macram Ben Romdhane had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Box score.

Game 2
Brazil beat Australia 75-71

Leandrinho Barbosa had 16 points for Brazil, and Marcelinho Huertas had 15 points and 10 assists. Patty Mills had 20 points and Joe Ingles 15 for Australia.

Box score.

Game 3
USA beat France 98-71.
Kevin Durant had 22 points and 9 rebounds to lead USA, with Kevin Love adding 14, Kobe Bryant 10, and LeBron James 9 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Ali Traore and Tony Parker led France with 12 and 10 points respectively.
Box score.

Game 4
Spain beat China 97-81.
Pau Gasol had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists on 11/15 shooting, and Serge Ibaka had 17 points. Jianlian Yi was impressive for China with a 30 point, 12 rebound double double on 13/19 shooting.
Box score.

Game 6
Argentina beat Lithuania 102-79
Luis Scola had 32 points on 63% shooting from the field (12/19), Manu Ginobili had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, whilst Carlos Delfino added 20. Lina Kleiza had 20 points to lead Lithuania.
Box score.

Quote of the Day

Argentina’s Luis Scola after the game against Lithuania:

“In this game I am emotional because in the Olympic Games every game is big, not like in the NBA or the EuroLeague where if you lose nothing could change for a day, a week or even a month. In the Olympic Games, one game can change everything.”

Notes

  • GB starters: Nate Reinking, Luol Deng, Drew Sullivan, Pops Mensah-Bonsu & Joel Freeland.
  • Interestingly, Luol Deng was listed as the captain on the box score.
  • I said it on the Twitter feed a few times – but it was shocking how many empty seats there were throughout the day during the different games.
  • The Lithuania-Argentina game was by far the loudest game of the day, with fans chanting/clapping/booing/screaming throughout the game – it was crazy!
  • Amazing how much busier the press tribune got during the USA game, I can’t imagine how it is going to be during the semis and finals.
  • Highlight of the day goes to Pau Gasol and his baseline reverse dunk all over China. There were a number of other nice plays, including a LeBron James spectacular no look dish to Carmelo Anthony for the score.
  • Food in the Olympic park (as you’d expect) is extremely expensive – no better time to make pack lunches!
  • GB’s lack of a point guard really shows. 14 first half turnovers, and a number of them were a result of bigs trying to handle the ball.
  • Russia’s Aleksey Shved was spectacular to watch. Him and Andrei Kirilenko will be one of the best 1-2 punches in the tournament.

Did you catch any of the games? Thoughts?

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