Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas was pivotal for Brazil as they upset Spain at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Tuesday
Point guard Marcelo Huertas officially re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 5, just as the 2016 Rio Olympics were getting started. With the start of the Olympics, Huertas was also gearing up to play for the host nation in Brazil.
Huertas has long been a staple in the Brazilian National Team, but the squad as a whole had tempered expectations coming into these Olympic Games as they weren’t among the medal favorites in the men’s basketball competition.
However, the Lakers guard and his Brazilian teammates seem like they’re ready to prove people wrong in front of the home crowd in Rio.
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After nearly completing a 30-point comeback against Lithuania in their first matchup on Sunday, Brazil matched up with one of the favorites at the Olympics in Spain on Tuesday. In a matchup that was back-and-forth for the entire game, though, Pau Gasol missed four free throws down the stretch to open up the door for Brazil. Thanks to a tip-in with less than 10 seconds remaining, Brazil was able to secure the upset victory.
Though it wasn’t Huertas hitting the tip to win the game in the final moments for Brazil, the incoming second-year Lakers guard was pivotal in the victory throughout. He finished the contest netting 11 points to go along with seven assists and four rebounds.
Huertas was also going up against his Lakers teammate for the 2016-17 NBA season in Jose Calderon. However, Calderon played just over a minute for Spain and made no real contributions to the losing effort for Spain.
The Brazilian guard gained the status of fan-favorite down the stretch for the Lakers last season, earning the nickname “The Catalyst” for the speed and creativity he brought to the offense when he came off of the bench.
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Though his defense in the NBA and at the Olympics for Brazil still leave something to be desired, Huertas showed on Tuesday in the upset win that he’s still the offensive catalyst that could again win over Lakers fans next season and really do some nice things off of the bench under new coach Luke Walton.