Taunted Paul Gasol comes up short again as Brazil beat Spain

RIO DE JANEIRO

NBA star Pau Gasol, targeted by obscene audience chants, faltered at the finish for the second time at the Rio Olympics and winless Spain's quarter-final hopes took a serious blow Tuesday as a result.

Marcus Marquinhos tipped in a miss by Marcelinho Huertas with five seconds remaining to give Brazil a stunning 66-65 victory.

The Spaniards, Olympic runners-up to the United States in 2008 and 2012, also lost to Croatia 72-70 when a Gasol shot was blocked at the final buzzer.

This time, Gasol had 13 points and 10 rebounds but was 5-of-12 from the free throw line, missing two from the charity stripe while being jeered with 23 seconds remaining to keep Brazil within a single point, setting the stage for Marquinhos' heroics.

"I'm not a guy who has a lot of points in rebounding, but that was my moment and I embraced it," Marquinhos said. "We always try to have an extra man on the rebound. I never thought I would be the one to score the winning point with a tip in."

It also set up his apology to Gasol.

"I understand the crowd. We are hosting the Olympics," Maquinhos said. "But I would like to apologise in the name of the Brazilian people. I know that it was not disrespectful. Here in Brazil we tend to go after the best player of the other team."

Brazil's Alex Garcia said the raucous crowd helped influence Gasol's misses.

"It helps. Even more in those last two free throws from Pau Gasol that could seal their win. The fans provoked and helped us."

Spain's Rudy Fernandez said the taunts did not cause Gasol to miss.

"Pau is one of the best players in the world. For sure the Brazilian people know that," he said. "I don't think Pau missed these shots for the people. Today is a bad day on all our parts."

A FEW MORE BATTLES

The Spaniards had a last chance after the tip-in but Sergio Llull, who scored 11 points, missed at the final buzzer.

"Until somebody says different, we've got a chance. You never know what will happen," Spain's Jose Calderon said. "We have to be ready for a few more battles."

Next up for Spain is Nigeria on Wednesday and a team that once talked of dethroning the US team of NBA stars must now struggle to simply reach the quarter-finals.

"I trust my teammates. We don't have to be in a bad way," Fernandez said. "In 2012 we lost twice in the preliminaries and still made the final. We have a chance to win the title if we win the next three games."

Brazil led 53-45 entering the fourth quarter but Spain roared back and took the lead 64-63 on a 3-pointer by Llull with 2:07 remaining.

Llull and Brazil's Nene each made a free throw to set the stage for the decisive final basket.

"It felt like it was going in, but Marcus was right there to tip it in," Huertas said.

Brazil captain Huertas led the Olympic hosts with 11 points and seven assists while Marquinhos added 10.