Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

Olympic Men’s Basketball Recap: Spain d. Lithuania

Valanciunas would play some pretty uninspired basketball in this one.

Spain def. Lithuania 109-59 | Box Score

With preliminaries almost wrapped up, the final two games became extremely important for some teams trying to move onto the medal rounds. Spain, who was seen as one of the medal favorites entering the Olympics, was on the outside looking in, one point behind Croatia and Brazil with two games to play. Spain lost their first two games by a combined total of three points and finally got their first win beating Nigeria. On the other hand, Lithuania has been stellar so far in Group B, winning all three of their games and look to continue that trend against the struggling Spain. This had become a must win for Spain, and Raptors Jonas Valanciunas could be very important in this game trying to defend Pau Gasol who is averaging 18.3 points in the Olympics thus far.

In the first quarter Spain would play with intensity, as they knew their Olympic chances rested on this game, and getting off to a slow start was not option. Forcing 8 turnovers, while shooting 56% helped them grow their lead to 15 in the first. It was the strong play of Gasol, who would put up 7 points, including some great defense to lead Spain in the first. On the Lithuania side, it was Mantas Kalnietis, who would score 7 points of his own, to keep Lithuania in arms length.

Every time Lithuania would start to look strong, Spain would just match. Spain’s work on the offensive boards was keeping their possessions alive,which was vital to them trading baskets with Lithuania in the second. Spain’s Ricky Rubio would push the pace for Spain leading to some easy transition baskets. Overall Spain’s ball movement in the half court set would lead to a lot of open shots. Spain would lead Lithuania at the half 49-29 extending their lead going into the second half. Gasol would finish the first half with 14 points, and 5 rebounds. Midaugas Kuzminskas would provide some great scoring off the bench, finishing with 9 points.

 

 

Gasol would not back down in the third, coming out quickly hitting three three’s in a row. The Spainish offense would continue to dissect any mistake Lithuania made in their half court set, and the ball movement would continue to lead to easy baskets. Spain could not miss in the third, continuing to extend their lead outscoring Lithuania 36-16,and held a comfortable 39 point lead heading into the fourth.

The fourth would be much of the same, Spain would cruise to a victory in this one, as Lithuania would sputter to get anything going on either end. Rubio and Gasol wouldn’t play in the fourth quarter, as their second unit would hold their huge lead on route to a 109-59 victory, and keeping Spain’s Olympic basketball hopes alive. Gasol would finish with a game high 23 points, on 7/9 shooting from the field, and 5 rebounds all without playing in the fourth. For Lithuania it would be Kalnietis, who would finish with 16 points, on 7/9 shooting.

 

 

Raptor Watch –

Valanciunas would play some pretty uninspired basketball in this one. His shot would be blocked by Gasol under the basket a few times, as he was simply outmatched on the offensive end. He finished with 0 points, on 0/6 shooting, with 10 rebounds, and 2 turnovers. On defense, Valanciunas would have trouble containing Gasol, who would overpower him in the paint for most of the game. Valanciunas would get caught a few times following the ball handler on the pick and roll, who would easily find Gasol for open shots, while Valanciunas was too slow to close out. Spain used this a lot in the beginning of the third, allowing Gasol to hit back to back threes. On the third time down, Valanciunas would get caught below a Rubio hand off to Gasol for another easy basket. Valanciunas is looked at as one of the best players on this Lithuania team. If they expect to do anything in this Olympic competition, they will need more production out of Valanciunas to succeed past the preliminaries.

 

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