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RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Dario Saric blocked Pau Gasol's potential beat-the-buzzer shot, enabling Croatia to upset Spain 72-70 in men's basketball at Rio Olympics on Sunday.
Croatia rallied all the way back from 14 points down to victory when Gasol, who just signed with San Antonio Spurs, snatched an in-bound with 1.8 seconds to go, but his turn-around shot was denied right under the basket.
As European champions, Spain led 50-36 after three quarters, but Croatia dished out a 21-6 run to overtake Spain 57-56 in the fourth quarter.
Spain managed to regain the advantage by 67-65 before Darko Planinic tied it with a layup and then Krunoslav Simon had a crucial steal, followed with a layup for 69-67.
Simon put Croatia four points ahead with two free throws before Spain's Nikola Mirotic came up for the rescue with a 3-pointer to see 71-70 with 12.8 seconds remaining.
Saric was fouled on the next possession and made one of two free throws, but he made the amendment on the other end with a decisive block.
Gasol had the game-high 26 points and nine rebounds while Brooklyn Nets forward Bojan Bogdanovic led Croatia with 23 points.
Brazil's effort fell short as they almost came back from 30-point down facing Lithuania, but Mantas Kalnietis and Paulius Jankunas secured the 82-76 victory over the hosts.
Lithuania used a strong second-quarter performance to build up a 58-29 lead at the break. Brazil narrowed the gap to 70-52 in the third quarter, but they have to settle with the six-point deficit.
Kalnietis had 16 points and eight assists while Jankunas added 15 points and seven rebounds as five Lithuanian players scored in double digit.
Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa led Brazil with 21 points.
Nigeria had no chance to topple former Olympic champions Argentina, which won the last match of the day lop-sided by 94-66.
