The final play that led to Vitaliy Fridzon’s three from the corner was drawn-up, and planned for the Khimki guard, admitted Russia coach David Blatt.
It was Fridzon’s only three-point attempt of the game, yet Blatt was confident in his player’s ability to shoot with the game on the line.
His confidence was paid in full by Fridzon.
Fridzon himself was down to earth moments after his clutch play.
Many fans inside the Olympic Basketball Arena expected Minnesota Timberwolves guard Alexey Shved to throw Russia’s last roll of the dice following Marcelhinho Huertas’ lay-up with 3.9 seconds remaining that gave Brazil a 74-72 lead.
Shved though echoed his coach’s statements and wanted Fridzon, who he labelled ‘the team’s best shooter’ to take the last shot.
“He’s our number one option, he wanted to go with him,” Shved, who hit 17 points on 47 percent shooting said.
Russia are now through to the quarter-finals following their third win out of three games.