By Paul Garcia, Project Spurs.comComing into Monday’s final Olympic game of Group B play in the preliminary round, there was a lot of speculation as to how Brazil and Spain would face each other. One wouldn’t want to use the word “tanking” as countries have been penalized in the Olympics so far for doing such a thing. But Brazil and Spain were in a dilemma.
Win and face Argentina, and then powerhouse, the United States in the semifinals. Or lose, and face France and possibly Russia in the semifinals with a better chance to earn a medal.
Brazil and Spain didn’t look like they totally played a tanking type of game as Spain held an 11-point lead over Brazil at one point on Monday, but Leandro Barbosa’s second half explosion led Brazil to an 88-82 victory over Spain.
Both teams starters played, but Rudy Fernandez and Jose Calderon played no more than 15 minutes each, while Nene didn’t play for Brazil with plantar fascists affecting him.
San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter finished with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in 30 minutes of play. Here’s the rundown.
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