Australia Olympic men's basketball scenarios: Here's what the Boomers need to advance to knockout stage

The Australian Boomers are in control of their own destiny as the knockout rounds of the Olympic Games Men's Basketball tournament looms.

The Aussies are currently 1-1 through two games in Group A, beating Spain by 12 points, before losing to Canada by 10 points.

With the top two teams in each group qualifying for the knockout rounds, along with the top two of three third-place teams, the Boomers are in a strong position to advance with a win against Greece on Friday night, without having to rely on other results going their way. However, a loss to Greece would make things very complicated. 

Here's how they can do it.  

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How the Australian Boomers can advance to the knockout rounds

The Boomers' game against Greece has massive implications for the knockout rounds, with a victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. ensuring the Boomers of second place in the group behind Canada. 

If Canada defeats Spain, then the Boomers will finish clear second at 2-1, however, if Australia loses, it would then create a three-way tie (Australia, Greece and Spain will all have a 1-2 record).

In that case, the final standings in the group will come down to the point-differential in the games between those teams. As it stands, Australia at +12, Spain at -5, and Greece at -7. The Boomers can still lose tonight, as long as it comes by less than nine points, ensuring a second-place finish. Any more than that and they could fall to third. An 18+ loss would see them drop to the bottom of the standings and exit the competition.

In the event that Spain defeats Canada, a Boomers loss to Greece would see them finish fourth. A win over Greece would also create a three-way tie with Canada and Spain (Australia at +2, Canada at +10, and Spain at -12). Spain's margin of victory would determine the standings on final point differential.

MORE: How do Olympic tiebreakers work?

In summary...

Australia finish first in Group A if:

• Australia win vs. Greece AND Spain win vs Canada by 9+ points

Australia finish second in Group A if:

• Australia win vs. Greece AND Canada win vs. Spain
• Australia win vs. Greece AND Spain win vs Canada by 8 points or less
• Canada win vs Spain AND Greece win vs Australia by 9 points or less

Australia finish third in Group A if:

• Canada win vs Spain AND Greece win vs Australia by 10-16 points

Australia finish fourth in Group A if:

• Canada win vs Spain AND Greece win vs Australia by 18+ points
• Greece win vs Australia AND Spain win vs. Canada

At the conclusion of the group stage, the eight quarterfinalists will then be divided into four pots according to their cumulative ranking.

Here's how the two best third-place teams can advance:

Olympic basketball tiebreak rules, explained

Eight of the 12 countries advance to the single-elimination Knockout Stage — the top two teams from each group and two wild cards, which will be determined by tiebreaker.

First Olympic basketball tiebreaker

The first tiebreaker is head-to-head results. If two countries are tied and played each other during the Group Stage, the winning team will advance to the Knockout Stage.

Second Olympic basketball tiebreaker

In the event that the tied countries did not play each other in the Group Stage — or there are more than two teams tied for the wild card spots — the secondary tiebreaker will be point differential.

2024 Olympic men's basketball standings

Group A

Group B

Group C

What time is Australia vs Greece tonight?

• Date: Friday, August 2
• Time: 9:30 p.m. AEST

Australia vs Greece will tip off at 9:30 p.m. AEST on Friday, August 2.  The game will be played at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, France.

What channel is Australia vs Greece on tonight?

• TV channel: Channel Nine
• Live Stream: 9Now/Stan Sport

Australia vs Greece will air on the Nine Network. Viewers will be able to stream the games on 9Now and Stan Sport. 

Australian Boomers Olympic schedule - Group A

The Boomers close out their Group play against Greece. 

Australia Olympic men's basketball roster 2024