A pair of Chicago Bulls made their Olympic debuts on Sunday, but both came in losing efforts.
Host nation Brazil, featuring Cristiano Felicio of the Bulls, kicked off Group B action against Lithuania. Lithuania jumped ahead early and built a 29-point lead at halftime. However, Brazil battled back to make it a single-digit game in the final minute. Lithuania was able to make its late free throws to seal the win.
Felicio had four points, four rebounds and a block in 14 minutes of action. He also picked up four fouls.
In the second game of the day, Nikola Mirotic's Spain was upset by Croatia 72-70. Spain led most of the game, including a seven-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, Croatia made a late run to take the lead and held onto it down the stretch.
Mirotic had a clutch 3-pointer to get the Spaniards within one with less than 15 seconds remaining. After Croatia's Dario Saric, who will play for the Philadelphia 76ers next season, split two free throws Spain had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final possession. On an inbound play under the basket, Spain found former Bull Pau Gasol in the paint. He went up for the short-range shot, but was blocked by Saric for a dramatic ending.
Mirotic started and scored 19 points in 31 minutes. He also had six assists, three rebounds and a steal. Only Gasol had more points than Mirotic for Spain with 26.
Mirotic and Felicio will face off against each other on Tuesday when Spain takes on Brazil. Jimmy Butler and Team USA are back in action Monday against Venezuela.