Greece gets win, just not by enough
Czechs join U.S. as last teams in quarterfinals despite seven-point loss
The Czech Republic and the United States completed the field on Monday for the quarterfinals of the basketball World Cup.
The Czechs did it the hard way.
Despite losing to Greece 84-77 in the second-round group game, the Czech Republic (3-2) advanced after the United States defeated Brazil a few hours later 89-73. Both games were in Shenzhen, China.
Greece (3-2) needed to beat the Czechs by 12 points or more and then hope the United States defeated Brazil. In the end, it didn’t matter.
In Monday’s other key game, Australia beat France (4-1) 10098. The victory put Australia (5-0) at the top of its group with France (4-1) finishing second. It means France will face the Americans in the quarterfinals on Wednesday and Australia gets the Czechs.
In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Argentina (5-0) faces Serbia (4-1) and Spain (5-0) plays Poland (4-1). Greece 84, Czech Republic 77: Greece needed to win by 12 to have a chance of advancing. The Greeks did lead by that much early in the final quarter, but could not hold the margin. Nick Calathes scored 27 points to lead Greece, with 16 more coming from Kostas Sloukas. NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 12 points and nine rebounds, but also fouled out on a disputed call.
Giannis did not attend the final news conference.
Jaromir Nohacik scored 25 to lead the Czech Republic, while Patrik Auda and Tomas Satoransky added 13 each. United States 89, Brazil 73: The U.S. opened on a 14-7 run yet went into the break with only a 43-39 lead, unable to shake Brazil despite shooting 55 per cent in the opening 20 minutes.
Eventually, the Americans pulled away. Marcus Smart’s buzzer-beating, hand-in-hisface three-pointer to beat the third quarter horn put the U.S. up 11, and a 15-6 run to start the fourth put the game away. Myles Turner and Kemba Walker each scored 16 for the Americans. Vitor Benite scored 21 for Brazil; Varejao and Leandrinho Barbosa each scored 14. Australia 100, France 98: Australia avoided facing the U.S. in the quarterfinals — though the Boomers, who beat the Americans in a pre-tournament game, might have welcomed the matchup.
Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs scored 30 points to lead Australia, Joe Ingles had 23 and Aron Baynes added 21.
Evan Fournier scored 31 for France. Lithuania 74, Dominican Republic 55: Jonas Valanciunas had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Lithuania in a game between two teams already eliminated from the quarterfinals. Rigoberto Mendoza led the Dominicans with 14 points.