Jakarta (ANTARA) – A team made up of NBA stars from Canada crushed France with a final score of 95-65 in the second game of the 2023 FIBA World Cup held on Friday at the Indonesia’s Gelora Bung Karno Arena, Jakarta.
“It’s just one win and it’s a long tournament. “Our players understand the importance of taking it one game at a time,” Canadian national team head coach Jordi Fernandez said after the match.
Canada was initially left behind by France, who won Japan’s Olympic silver medal in 2020, but the team made up of NBA players managed to turn the situation around and even took the lead with a difference maximum points of up to 34 points, with the highest score. rate of 17-0.
The match was fierce from the start. France first opened the score to 7 points without response. But Canada followed with four points scored first by Dillon Brooks with two slam dunks. Canada turned the tables, but France fought back, making the match even fiercer.
France, which led 14-18 in the first quarter, was only able to maintain its lead until the middle of the second quarter. Canada and France both played hard, but Kelly Olynyk and co managed to secure the first half 43-40.
The second half belonged to Canada. Virtually the team led by coach Jordi Fernández advanced without any significant resistance from France.
Canadian player who also plays basketball for the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, seemed to entertain the Indonesia Arena crowd with his tricks throughout the match.
He also looked impressive as he became Canada’s leading point scorer while also recording double-doubles with 27 points and 13 rebounds.
“I’m happy. But most importantly, we won the game. “It’s just one match, we have many other things to do in the future,” said Shai, who was participating for the first time in the Basketball World Cup.
Kelly Olynyk recorded 18 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Wallet and Dillon Broks each scored 12 points.
In the French camp, it was Evan Fournier who scored the highest with 21 points, and Nando De Colo and Mathias Lessort both scored 12 points.
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