REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Canadian team has become the participant with the most NBA players appearing in Indonesia on FIBA World Cup 2023 won in the first match of Group H. In the match which took place at Indonesia Arena on Friday (25/8/2023), Canada won with a crushing score of 95-65.

Canadian coach Jordi Fernandez Torres took on the top five, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kelly Olynyk and Dwight Powell. The French Vincent Collet Nando De Colo, Evan Fournier, Rudy Gobert, Guerschon Yabusale, Nicolas Batum.

France took an early 7-0 lead thanks to a point from De Colo Fournier. Canada struggled early on, Canada’s stalemate was broken by Dillon Brooks twice, successfully entering the ball 4-7, Olynyk even pulled Canada back to victory 8-7. France was finally able to end the first quarter with an 18-14 advantage.

Lessort opened the second quarter with a 21-14 triple play, Ejim also answered with a 17-21 triple play.

Fournier had led France to advance 26-19. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had struggled, eventually drew 28-28. Eventually, Canada took the lead with a score of 43-40 after Olynyk’s two free throws went off without a hitch.

Canada immediately advanced early in the third quarter scoring seven straight points thanks to Dillon Brooks’ triple point and two 50-40 efforts from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. France replied via Gobert 42-50. Thereafter, Canada continued to progress and closed out the third quarter 68-48.

With a considerable advantage, Canada is more comfortable playing in the fourth quarter.

Yabusale and Fournier opened the scoring for France 52-68. Olynyk and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came back 72-52. Canada had a 30 point 90-60 lead, that margin lasted and Canada won with a final score of 95-65.

In that game, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became Canada’s top scorer with 27 points and became MVP of that game.

Kelly Olynyk added 18 points, Dillon Brooks 12 and Alexander Walker 12 for Canada. Meanwhile, Evan Fournier led France with 21 points, De Colo and Lessort both contributed 12 points.

Canada’s next game is against Lebanon on August 27. Meanwhile, France will have an important game against Latvia on the same date.