Ricky Rubio scored a team-high 18 points and Alberto Abalde had 14 points on Sunday as Spain lost to Luka Doncic and Slovenia to wrap up preliminary play in the Tokyo Olympics.
The two teams traded baskets throughout the fourth quarter, with Spain leading by as many as six points. However, Slovenia ended the game on a 19-5 run to seal the 95-87 victory, and the top seed from Group C. Doncic registered 12 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
Slovenia will play Germany in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Spain, who has medaled in three straight Olympic Games, finished the group phase 2-1 after the loss to advance to the quarterfinals out of Group C. They were drawn to face the United States.
The stage is set for the Men's #Olympics basketball Quarter-Finals! ✅
Who you got? 🤔#FRA ⚔️ #ITA#SLO ⚔️ #GER#USA ⚔️ #ESP#AUS ⚔️ #ARG#Basketball | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/RPZuqfMKnA
— FIBA #Tokyo2020 (@FIBA) August 1, 2021
Spain will enter the quarterfinals with the fifth-highest odds of winning the gold medal, according to BetMGM. With a roster featuring several current or former NBA players, including draftee Usman Garuba, Spain figures to present a tough out moving forward.
They will tip off against the U.S. at 12:40 a.m. EDT on Tuesday.
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