Caboclo, Hettsheimeir lead Brazil to upset of Croatia / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Brazil (2-0) went undefeated in a group play after a victory against Croatia (0-1) 94-67 (25-20, 20-14, 26-21, 23-12).

Player of the Game EFF 21 Bruno Caboclo Points 17 Accuracy 7-10 Rebounds 8 Assists 1

The game started at a fast pace, as both teams were successful at getting buckets. Midway through the first quarter Brazil made their biggest run. After Rafael Hettsheimeir’s layup with 3:37 to go, Brazil’s lead blew up to 13 points (23-10). However, Croatia answered with four straight points by Ante Zizic and the teams finished the opening quarter with a close score (25-20).

The second period started with Mario Hezojna’s two made free-throws, which cut Croatia’s deficit to 3 points.But Bruno Caboclo answered with his own 3-pointer leading to teams trading baskets all the way until the last minute of the quarter. But with 22 seconds left to play, Brazil scored five unanswered points, increasing their lead to double-digits (45-34).

Brazil did not lose their confidence and composure after halftime. They started the quarter with made triple, blocked shot, and forced turnover digging the tournament’s host team into a deeper hole. Each time Croatia hit a shot, Brazilians answered with a make of their own. After Bruno Caboclo (who scored 8 points in the quarter) dunk, Brazil’s lead reached 15 points.

The final period started with Croatia facing a double-digit deficit. But the host team couldn’t mount any kind of comeback as they were not able to contain Brazil’s superb ball movement leading to open shots. Brazilians had 28 assists to Croatia’s only 12, also, they forced Croatia to make mistakes (18 turnovers), which led to 26 points from turnovers (Croatia only 13).

In the end, Brazil came out with a convincing, yet very surprising, victory over Croatia.

Rafael Hettsheimeir (20 points) and Bruno Caboclo (17 points) led Brazil to victory, while Bojan Bogdanovic had 16 points for Croatia.

UP NEXT

Croatia: will play Tunisia on July 1.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.