Canada holds off Spain to win Group A
Canada battled past Spain 88-85 to secure the top spot in Group A of men's basketball at the Paris Olympics.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led a balanced offensive effort with 20 points as the Canadians held off a spirited comeback effort from the Spaniards.
Dario Brizuela had a team-high 17 points and one rebound in defeat.
The loss eliminates Spain before the Olympic quarterfinals for the first time since 2000.
Here are the final standings in Group A:
| Rank | Country | Record | PTS | Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 3-0 | 6 | 20 |
| 2 | Australia | 1-2 | 4 | -4 |
| 3 | Greece | 1-2 | 4 | -8 |
| 4 | Spain | 1-2 | 4 | -8 |
Spain lost the tiebreaker with Australia and Greece after posting the worst point differential in games between the three nations.
Australia is through to the final eight, while Greece awaits the result of the matchup between Serbia and South Sudan.
Canada appeared to be on its way to a comfortable victory after opening things up in the second quarter, but Spain refused to go down easily.
La Roja fought until the final whistle, cutting the deficit to a single point on a triple from Sergio Llull with three seconds remaining.
Spain intentionally fouled Gilgeous-Alexander on the next possession, and he subsequently knocked down two free throws.
Needing a three to extend the game, Llull heaved a prayer from beyond half court that missed wide left.
Canada also made the quarterfinal round in its last Olympic appearance 24 years ago. The country's lone podium result was a runner-up showing at the 1936 Games in Berlin.
The quarterfinals begin Tuesday in Paris.