08/01/2021 3:25 AM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 08/01/2021 3:25 AM
The Argentine basketball team
beat Japan 97 to 77
on the last date of Group C of the Olympic Games and
is in the quarterfinals
of Tokyo 2020. The national team defined it with authority although at times it was erratic and now awaits the draw that will bring him if he plays against
Australia or France
in search of the semis. The endless
Luis Scola
was the team's top scorer with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while
Facundo Campazzo
contributed 17 points and 11 assists.
As expected, Japan proposed a zonal defense with a double objective: to try to
slow down the rhythm
of Argentina, a team that tries to attack fast and shoot within the first 7-10 seconds of each possession, as well as to protect the paint more although That means giving the opponent more triple chances.
It had a certain logic: the selected albiceleste
had not been as fine as he needed
from long distance.
However, to the regret of the host, Sergio Hernández's men started
with great effectiveness
.
In fact, that's how they scored their first 12 points, the product of two triples per head between Facundo Campazzo and Luis Scola.
In defense, the team started somewhat calmer, but a time-out and
a challenge from the coach
("what's wrong with them, are they playing the All-Star Game?") Were
enough
for the nuts to be tightened and the rim better protected. That allowed that at the other end of the court they began to draw more differences.
Facundo Campazzo puts a change of pace and becomes indefensible.
AP Photo / Eric Gay
In this construction of the advantage Marcos Delía was decisive, who took advantage of the difficulties that the Japanese had to mark it (one of the long-term objectives of Julio Lamas, in fact, is
to progressively increase the size
of the team).
With 10 points without failures (4-4 in shots from the field and 2-2 in free shots)
the national pivot was the mainstay
of the first great difference that the National Team took (26-13 at 2m08 from the end of the first quarter).
For the second quarter, Hernández dispensed with Campazzo, who had accumulated
two infractions
.
And Argentina was able to sustain the difference greater than 10, despite the fact that it did not start correctly in the face of the basket.
During this period, the
beginning of the recovery
of a Luca Vildoza
was valuable
,
who had not had two completely positive first presentations but who began to find his release and add confidence.
But the team, as the minutes went by, the gunpowder began to dry from a distance and Japan took advantage of it to discount and go to rest
down by 8 (46-38
) after winning the second quarter 22-20.
The percentage of triples fell to
38%
(with again some shots that looked rushed and badly taken) and, except for Delía, Argentina no
longer prevailed in the painted area
.
In fact, Scola, who hit 3-4 on triples, barely scored 1-9 on doubles in the first half.
The Selection, even, returned to have problems allowing to capture
many balls in the own board.
Doubts authority
Sergio Hernández lived the game true to his style.
Photo REUTERS / Brian Snyder
Argentina started the third period badly,
sinned from a forced pitch
(it started 0-4 from the outside) and Japan cut to 4 at the start (46-42).
Again it was Delía who came to the rescue, with 4 points and an offensive rebound to regain a ten lead.
The National Team's percentages
fell apart
in this quarter, especially from a distance (below 30%).
Laprovittola accumulated buns in the rim (0-8), Scola and Campazzo (the latter at least contributed in the creation) also and that way was Brussino, who suddenly found at least two triples in a row to
return to serve 12
(65- 53 reaching the last couple of minutes).
The last quarter, for the health of Argentina, had the management of the times of Campazzo, who scored and assisted in a much closer way than usual (he reached the double-double), and with the distance success of Scola, who reached his best triple record in the Olympics.
With them and for them the National Team got 18 (78-60) and began to
define the match and ensure the classification
.
With sacrifice, with will, with desire when the game was scarce, with the authority that it should have as a great team and obliged to face a lower-ranking rival who had nothing to lose.
Look also
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