Olympic Men’s Basketball Report: Giannis Scores in Vain, Barrett and Alexander Points; Canada Defeats Greece for First Win

In the early hours of July 28, the first round of Group A in the Olympic men’s basketball tournament kicked off with a match between the Greek national team and the Canadian national team.

The game began with Barrett flying in for a layup, followed by Alexander turning for a jump shot. Then Dillon stepped back for a mid-range jumper, giving Canada a 6-0 start. Shortly after, Papanikolaou hit a three-pointer, Powell scored on a putback, and Giannis made both free throws. Alexander then stepped back to score and was fouled, making the extra free throw. Giannis responded with two free throws, while Dillon nailed a three-pointer, leaving the score at 14-7 Canada over Greece. In the latter part of the quarter, Powell made both free throws, and Alexander hit a step-back three-pointer, prompting a timeout from Greece as Canada led 19-7. Returning from the break, Giannis scored on a drive, Barrett hit a three-pointer, and Mitoglou responded with a three-pointer of his own. Barrett dunked, and Papanikolaou hit another three-pointer. Giannis completed an alley-oop, and Tolios made both free throws, bringing the score to 19-24. After the Greek timeout, Papanikolaou hit another three-pointer, Murray made both free throws, and the first quarter ended with Canada leading Greece 26-22.

In the second quarter, Olynyk scored on a drive, Larentzakis hit a three-pointer, and Murray made a step-back jump shot. Both teams then went through a scoring drought until Barrett made both free throws and Dillon hit a three-pointer, extending Canada’s lead to 9-3 in the half-quarter. In the latter part of the quarter, Giannis scored on a drive, Dort made both free throws, and Giannis continued to score on drives. Alexander and Papagiannis each made both free throws, leaving the score at 32-39 Canada over Greece. Papanikolaou then drove for a layup, prompting a Canadian timeout. Returning from the break, Dillon made both free throws, Giannis scored on a drive, and Alexander and Dillon made consecutive free throws. Barrett scored on a drive, and Giannis hit a fadeaway shot, but Greece refused to let the lead widen. However, Barrett quickly scored on a pull-up jump shot, and Alexander made one of two free throws, ending the half with Canada leading Greece 48-38.

In the third quarter, Dort hit a three-pointer, Barrett scored on a drive, and Giannis made both free throws. Dillon then hit a three-pointer, leaving the score at 56-40 Canada over Greece. Mitoglou then made both free throws, and Giannis dunked. Barrett also made both free throws, while Calathes hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding. Giannis then completed an alley-oop and made a free throw, and Alexander made both free throws, as the teams traded baskets. The score remained 60-50 with Canada maintaining their lead over Greece. In the latter part of the quarter, Papanikolaou made one of two free throws, Giannis dunked, and Olynyk made both free throws. Nembhard hit a pull-up jump shot, and Papanikolaou scored five points from free throws and a shot. Barrett scored on a putback, and Tolios made both free throws. Murray then hit a floater, ending the third quarter with Greece trailing Canada 60-68.

In the final quarter, Barrett made both free throws, Tolios hit a three-pointer, Powell scored on a drive, and Wochap hit a three-pointer, narrowing Greece’s deficit to 68-72. Dort then hit a three-pointer to stabilize the situation for Canada, and Alexander hit a step-back three-pointer. Canada quickly extended their lead back into double digits, prompting a Greek timeout. Returning from the break, Alexander made both free throws, and Giannis made two free throws and scored on a dunk. Wochap made both free throws, and Tolios hit a runner, bringing Greece within four points with just over a minute left. Canada called a timeout. Returning from the break, Giannis dunked, narrowing the gap to two points. But Alexander immediately responded with a drive and layup. Giannis made one of two free throws, and Murray made both free throws. Barrett dunked, and the game ended with Canada defeating Greece 86-79.

Player Stats:

Greece: Giannis Antetokounmpo 34 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists; Papanikolaou 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Tolios 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Wochap 5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals; Mitoglou 5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist; Papagiannis 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Larentzakis 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal; Calathes 3 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists;

Canada: Barrett 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal; Alexander 21 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal; Brooks 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Murray 8 points, 3 assists, 1 steal; Dort 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Powell 6 points, 4 rebounds; Olynyk 4 points, 6 rebounds; Nembhard 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Lyles 3 rebounds, 1 assist;

Starting Lineups:

Greece: Giannis, Calathes, Papagiannis, Papanikolaou, Wochap

Canada: Barrett, Dillon, Dort, Alexander, Powell