LONDON - Tiago Splitter scored 21 points to help Brazil escape with an unexpectedly close 67-62 win over host Britain in the London 2012 Olympic Games 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 three-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.
Nate Reinking scored 13 points for Britain.
