Japan overtake France in final prep game, as Hachimura drops 19 / News - Basketnews.com

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In an exhibition game at their home court Saitama Arena, Japan won against France 81-75.

Rui Hachimura was the winner's leading scorer with 19 points and Yuta Watanabe followed with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Makoto Hiejima added 15 points for the Japanese squad, which will be the hosts of the upcoming Olympic Games. Evan Fournier logged 16 points for France, while Rudy Gobert had 11 points and eight rebounds. Nicholas Batum added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Japan took a double-digit lead in the second quarter and finished the first half up by 16 points (46-30). France came back, tying the score at 74, but a 7-1 run gave the win to the Asian team.

France will face the United States in the Olympics opener next Sunday. Iran and the Czech Republic are the other two teams in Group A. Japan, on the other hand, may have the home-court advantage, but they're placed in what looks like the hardest of groups, Group C, along with Slovenia, Spain, and Argentina.

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