Vitaliy Fridzon sinks three pointer in final seconds to give Russia 75-74 win over Brazil – London Olympics Men Basketball Recap
The Russian men basketball team gave a big boost to their chances of qualifying for the next round at the London Olympics by defeating Brazil 75-74 in a close match that came right down to the final possession.
Russia had a big 2nd quarter to have a comfortable lead at half time, but the Brazilian side came back firing in the 2nd half to test the mettle of the Russians and ultimately it was a moment of brilliance from Vitaliy Frizdon that made the difference.
Andrei Kirilenko once again shined for the Russian side, scoring a game high 19 points and 4 rebounds while going 5 of 9 from the field and 8 of 13 from the foul line. He was assisted by Alexey Shved with 17 points and 6 assists, and Timofey Mozgov with 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Leandrinho Barbosa scored a team high 16 points, but the rest of the Brazilian side failed to provide the offense fire power that was required to counter the Russian offense.
Both teams looked rusty early on as no point was scored for the first 2 and a half minutes of the game. Alex Garcia finally opened the scoring for Brazil by hitting a three point shot to give Brazil a 3-0 lead.
The Brazilians had the momentum since the beginning of scoring and led most of the way in the first period, finishing with three straight points to lead 20-15 at the end of the quarter.
6 straight points by Kirilenko in the opening minutes of the second period gave Russia a 26-23 lead, and Kirilenko later made two free throws to extend the lead to 30-23 as Russia got into rhythm. Two free throws y Garcia brought Brazil back to within one point, but Russia closed the period with a 7-0 run capped off by a two point shot by Kirilenko in the final 30 seconds to give Russia a 40-32 lead.
Brazil fought hard in the third quarter to remain within striking distance, and a three point play by Larry Taylor brought them within 4 of the Russians with 4 minutes left in the period.
Mozgov scored the next six points for the Russians, and put his team back up by 7. Barbosa however closed the period with 5 points, including a clutch three to have Brazil trail the Russians 53-59, and give them a shot of winning the game.
Brazil upped the ante early in the fourth and a Barbosa two point shot tied the game at 63 with 5:44 left in regulation.
Moments later, two free throws by Nene Hilario gave the Brazilians a 66-65 lead, and they stretched it to 70-65 with four straight points and two and a half minutes left to play.
The desperate Russians fought back and a three pointer by Shved brought them back into the game, tying the scores at 72. After Marcelinho Huertas scored a two pointer with 6 seconds left on the clock, Fridzon became the hero of the night for Russia by draining a clutch three pointer in the final seconds of the game to give Russia a 75-74 victory.
Both teams played competitive basketball, and only one shot separated the winner from the loser. The Russians were helped by the fact that three of their players ended with double digit points. They remain undefeated in the Olympics in three games where as Brazil will now face elimination if Spain win their next Group B fixture.
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