FIBA World Cup Final: Spain (95) vs Argentina (75)
Argentina takes on Spain in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Final from Wukesong Sport Arena in Beijing. Both nations are looking for their second title in World Cup competition. Spain won the world championship in 2006 while Argentina won the inaugural tournament in 1950.
1st Quarter Update: Spain had a big offensive first 10 minutes as they jump out to a 23-14. They ended the quarter on a 9-1 run. The scoring was balanced for Spain as 7 different players scored including, Ricky Rubio (4 pts), Marc Gasol (3 pts), Juancho Hernangomez (3 pts) & Willy Hernangomez (2 pts). Nicolas Brussino did his best to keep Argentina in this one scoring 8 pts on a perfect 3/3 from the field.
2nd Quarter Update: Spain holds a 43-31 lead heading into halftime behind a balanced offensive attack. Rudy Fernandez is the high man for Spain with 8 pts while the Hernangomez brothers have combined for 11 pts & 6 reb. Marc Gasol is doing a little bit of everything with 3 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast & 1 stl. Nicolas Laprovittola has a game-high 9 pts to lead all scorers.
3rd Quarter Update: Just 10 more minutes remain in the FIBA World Cup and Spain takes a 66-47 lead into the final quarter. They’ve dominated inside in this Final as their rebound lead (38-19) is as big as their actual lead. Suns’ guard Ricky Rubio & Rudy Fernandez are the leading Spanish scorers with 11 pts each while Marc Gasol and Juancho Hernangomez have combined for 16 pts & 12 reb. Spain has also assisted on 17 of their 23 buckets thus far. Nicolas Laprovittola is still leading the way for Argentina with 11 pts.
FINAL: Spain takes home the gold medal in Beijing behind a 95-75 victory over Argentina. This is their second FIBA World Cup gold medal with the other coming in 2006. 5 different players scored in double figures for Spain including Ricky Rubio (20), Marc Gasol (14), Sergio Llull (15), Rudy Fernandez (11) & Juancho Hernangomez (11). Spain led this one wire-to-wire shooting 56% from the floor and outrebounding Argentina by 20. Gabriel Deck did all he could to keep Argentina in the game scoring a game-high 24 pts. Both teams had already qualified for the 2020 Olympics.
3rd Place Game: France (67) vs Australia (59)
1st Quarter Update: Australia jumps out to an early 16-11 lead behind a very physical first 10 minutes. San Antonio Spurs’ guard Patty Mills leads all scorers with 8 pts while Phoenix Suns’ big man, Aron Baynes knocked down his lone triple of the quarter. Former Toronto Raptor Nando De Colo drilled a 3 to end the quarter and is leading all French scorers with 5 pts. Evan Fournier & Frank Ntilikina both contributed 2 pts in the first quarter.
2nd Quarter Update: Joe Ingles erupted for 11 points in the second quarter as Australia take a 30-21 lead into the half. Ingles is the leading scorer in this game with 12 on 5/7 shooting from the field. Orlando Magic guard, Evan Fournier is up to 8 pts as he is the high man for France.
3rd Quarter Update: France fought their way back into this 3rd place game as they head to the final 10 minutes trailing by just 4 pts, 46-42. The backcourt combination of Evan Fournier & Nando De Colo have combined for 23 pts with Charlotte Hornets’ forward, Nicolas batum contirbuted 7 of his own. Joe Ingles is up to 17 pts on a very efficient 7/10 from the field.
FINAL: France comes from behind in the 4th quarter to earn the bronze medal at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. They earn their first medal since the 2014 FIBA World Cup where they also took home the bronze medal. Evan Fournier & Nando De Colo led the way as they combined for 35 pts. Batum had an all-around game of 9 pts, 6 ast & 3 reb. Joe Ingles & Patty Mills combined for 32 pts to lead Australia. Both teams had already qualified for the 2020 Olympics.
