Basketball championship: France over Brazil 86-74

The Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa scored a game-high 29 points for Brazil, but weak rebounding and a foot injury picked up by Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Verejao left them unable to overcome a third-quarter deficit.

Photo: Basketball championship: France over Brazil 86-74

Basketball championship: France over Brazil 86-74

With the game tied 48-48 at halftime, France pulled away in the third quarter, stretching its lead to 13 points on the back of Parker's penetrating runs and solid shooting from Diaw and Real Madrid's Mickael Gelabale. France ended the quarter ahead 74-61 and Brazil never again came closer than 10 points.

Gelabale,Laurent Foirest and Florent Pietrus all added 11 points, the AP reports.

Brazil were out-rebounded by France 35-27 while the tough French defense anchored by Los Angeles Lakers center Ronny Turiaf shut down the Brazilian fast break.

France's coach Claude Bergeaud said a strategy of spreading around the shooting opportunities had paid off, the AP reports.

Brazil coach Xavier Ferreira said the result was the worst for his side in 10 preparation games.