TOKYO (Kyodo) — Center Josh Hawkinson contributed a team-high 34 points and 14 rebounds as Japan warmed up for the Olympic men’s basketball tournament with an 88-80 win over South Korea on Sunday.
The second meeting of the two-game exhibition series followed an 85-84 upset by world No. 50 South Korea over 26th-ranked Akatsuki Japan on Friday.
Japan’s two biggest stars, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and former NBA swingman Yuta Watanabe, once again watched from the sidelines at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, where head coach Tom Hovasse’s team took control in the third quarter after leading 43-39 at halftime.
Japan will play its final warm-ups for the July 26 to Aug. 11 Paris Games against reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champion Germany in Berlin on July 19 and fourth-ranked Serbia two days later in Belgrade.