Defense costs Greek hoopsters loss to Brazil

Greece paid for its poor defense in the second half of the game against Brazil on Tuesday and went down 79-78 to miss out on the top spot in the group and leave it till Thursday to seal qualification to the second round of the FIBA World Cup in China.

The Greek team wasted a 17-point lead in the first half, allowing the Anderson Varejao-led Brazilian team back into the game. The poor mobility in the court, with the slow move from offense back to defense, cost Greece dearly, but should serve as a good lesson ahead of games that will matter more, in the knock-out stages.

Brazil's Croatian coach, Aleksandar Petrovic, built his defense targeting Giannis Antetokounmpo to contain the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. Even so Greece got the points it needed from outside the 6.75-meter line to lead 19-15 after the first period.

In the second quarter, the Greek defense, led by...