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Olympics men’s basketball results: Australia vs France recap

By Cody Williams

Australia's centre Andrew Bogut goes for a slam dunk during a Men's round Group A basketball match between Australia and France at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Australia's centre Andrew Bogut goes for a slam dunk during a Men's round Group A basketball match between Australia and France at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Australia started off their Olympics men’s basketball run with a statement win over a flat-footed France team, winning 87-66

Olympics men’s basketball is always one of the main events of every Games, but there are some years when it feels like you have to wait until the elimination rounds before the real action gets going. However, the 2016 Rio Olympics have more parity in the competition than maybe ever before and that was supposed to be on display in the first matchup of the event between Australia and France.

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Despite boasting NBA talent at every turn, though, France came out of the gate completely flat. Propelled by a strong performance from Dallas Mavericks center Andrew Bogut, Australia jumped out to a big first quarter lead and took control.

Admittedly, France seemed to wake up a bit in the second half thanks to the play of Tony Parker and Mickael Gelabale as they cut into the lead slightly going into halftime only down three. However, the rest of the French squad looked flat from start to finish and that caught up with them at the start of the new half.

San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills exploded out of the gate in the second half as he was firing and hitting from long range. Coupled with tremendous defensive effort from Bogut and Aron Baynes, the Australians really got rolling.

After Mills absolutely went off in the third quarter to balloon the Australia lead to double-digits, France looked completely checked out and the Aussies only added to their lead. When the final buzzer sounded, it was Australia picking up the opening win for their Olympics men’s basketball run with a 87-66 victory.

Three Stars

Patty Mills, Australia – 21 points, five assists, two rebounds, two steals

Andrew Bogut, Australia – 18 points, five assists, four rebounds, one block, 9-10 shooting

Tony Parker, France – 18 points, two points, two rebounds

Next Game

Australia will play their next game in Olympics men’s basketball competition on Monday, August 8 as they take on Serbia at 1:15 p.m. ET.

France will look to rebound in their next game, also on Monday, as they take on China at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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