Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - NBA star Pau Gasol scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Spain captured the Rio Olympics men's basketball bronze medal Sunday by defeating Australia 89-88 in a thriller.
The Spaniards grabbed a third consecutive Olympic podium finish after silver medals in 2008 and 2012, having lost each time in the championship game to the United States.
Patty Mills, one of four NBA champions on the Australia roster, scored 30 points to lead the Boomers, who just missed out on their first Olympic men's basketball medal.
Aussie Aron Baynes was whistled for a foul on Gasol with 28 seconds remaining and the Spaniard hit both free throws to put his team ahead 87-86.