Home FIBA Rio 2016 Rio 2016 Men’s Basketball Tournament (day 4)

Rio 2016 Men’s Basketball Tournament (day 4)

Hosts Brazil and one of the USA’s supposed nearest challengers Spain faced off against each other in what is the pick of the three games from Group B today.

Lithuania have the chance to make it two wins from two as they face Nigeria, who have recently learned that they will be without Shane Lawal for the duration of the tournament. And Argentina vs Croatia brings day four to a close with both sides on 2-0 records.

A LATE TIP-IN SENDS CARIOCA INTO FRENZY AS SPAIN EDGED OUT AGAIN

Two games, two heartbreakers. Spain are now 0-2 after they lost 66-65 to Olympic hosts Brazil thanks to a tip-in from Marquinhos with five ticks left.

Spain, no strangers to slow starts have now lost their opening two games in the last seconds but this latest defeat was met with sheer jubilation by the hometown crowd at the end of a tightly-contested battle that was ultimately settled when Marquinhos tipped in a missed attempt from Marcelinho Huertas.

The Lakers guard, Huertas led the winners with 11 points.

LITHUANIA OUT-DUELS UNDERSTRENGTH NIGERIA

Lithuania were made to fight by a wounded Nigeria side, missing key component Shane Lawal but still managed to beat the African champions 89-80.

With Jonas Maciulis rising to the occasion and scoring 13 of his 21 points in the third period when Lithuania outscored the Afrobasket 2015 winners 29-13, the European team went from trailing by five at half-time to leading 65-54 heading into the final frame.

Ike Diogu scored 19 points for Nigeria.

ARGENTINA LET BIG LEAD SLIP BUT EVENTUALLY BEAT CROATIA

Argentina re-grouped to eventually get the better of Croatia 90-82, but they needed an assist from Croatia’s bench in order to do so.

The South American side led by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter but Croatia rallied to get within 85-81 with just over a minute left to play. Krunoslav Simon missed a three-pointer and Luis Scola was fouled by Hezonja as he grabbed the rebound.

Croatia head coach Aleksandar Petrovic and Luka Babic argued the call and both were given technical fouls. Petrovic, who had earlier picked up a first technical, was ejected. Scola hit 2/3 free-throws while Ginobili made good on the foul shot for Babic’s transgression, putting Argentina up 88-81 and that about did it.

Scola finished with a game-high 23 points for the winners.

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