Tiago Splitter scored 21 points to help Brazil escape with an unexpectedly close 67-62 win over host Great Britain in the Olympic men's basketball tournament on Tuesday.
Britain came close to winning its first Olympic game since 1948, but Splitter, who plays with the San Antonio Spurs, hit a key layup off a pinpoint pass in traffic from Marcelinho Huertas to make it 65-59.
Luol Deng was then fouled on a 3-point attempt but hit only one of his free throws. Britain did not foul and Brazil ran 20 seconds off the clock before Deng fouled Huertas, who sank two free throws with 11 seconds left to seal the game.
Huertas finished with 13 points and eight assists.
Deng, who plays with the Chicago Bulls, missed his first six shots and had 12 points on 3-for-13 shooting. Nate Reinking added 13 points for Britain, and Pops Mensah-Bonsu finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Brazil scored only four points in the first quarter.
