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Spain displayed on Tuesday night why they are tipped to have the best chance against top contender Team USA after scoring a dominating 82-70 win over Australia in day two of men’s basketball action of the 2012 London Olympics.
Spain quickly recovered from a poor performance in the tail end of the first period and dominated for rest of the way to score their second win in as many games despite a strong push from the Australian Boomers in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Australia and Spain traded leads in the first five minutes of the game, but the Boomers ended the first period with a five-point lead after unleashing a mini-rally in the final three minutes of the quarter.
After a so-so performance before the end of the opening period, Spain got into their deadly form and turned the game around in the second period, ending the half with a point lead.
The Spanish squad found their comfort zone after their strong second-quarter push and totally dominated the Aussies in the third period to build a huge 21-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Australia had a final push in the fourth period and trimmed the lead down to ten points with two minutes left in the game, but Spain quickly slammed the door for the Boomers to hold on to the win.
Pau Gasol had a productive night, scoring 20 points in 18 minutes on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, while Rudy Fernandez finished with 17 points to go with six rebounds and three assists.
Marc Gasol also had an efficient night, racking up 12 points and seven rebounds, while Felipe Reyes did the dirty job, contributing just seven points, but grabbed 12 rebounds for Spain, who are now on top of Group B.
Joe Ingles and Brad Newley each had 12 points for the Boomers, while Patty Mills chipped in 12 points, but it was not enough as they absorbed their second-straight defeat after losing to Brazil, 75-71, in their opening match.
Australia will next face China, who are also winless in two games, while Spain collides with host Great Britain on Thursday.
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