Winner 127-118 after overtime of Team USA, Canada snatched the bronze medal at the end of a meeting which resembled like two drops of water the semi-final between Germany and the United States. Anthony Edwards’ partners (23 points) chased the score all match, but this time, they snatched overtime with a miracle basket (111-111). Except that they cracked in overtime, punished by an exceptional Dillon Brooks (39 points) and a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points) equal to himself.
Already deprived of three players in the midfield, the United States temporarily lost Mikal Bridges, hit in the face on a screen by Walker Kessler. This does not move the Canadians, and especially not Dillon Brooks, who signs an 8-0 to start the match. Austin Reaves unlocks the American counter in a match without an observation round, played with an NBA rhythm: one pass, one shot. After four minutes, already 27 points scored (16-11).
In this little game, Canada takes the lead (23-13) and the American defense is still non-existent. To the point that Lu Dort has plenty of time to penalize them in the corner. There are more movements and varieties in the Canadian game, and the “mismatches” benefit them with RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk who drive the point home (31-19). Thanks to Bobby Portis, the Americans limited the damage (34-25) but they conceded 34 points!
Dillon Brooks 5 of 5 from 3-point range at halftime!
The American bench brings a different energy (already 21 points!), and it is Cam Johnson who shifts the Americans into the lead (38-36). This 19-2 still bears the touch of Portis, who offers solutions under the panels, whether on defensive rebounds or as a fixing point in attack. We had to wait for the return of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Canada to regain control (44-40).
There is more waste and clumsiness, and that benefits the Americans with an interesting contribution from Walker Kessler on the counter and the tap (52-48). Except that Anthony Edwards forces a lot, and Brooks punishes him with a nice imitation of Klay Thompson with a 5 of 5 3-pointers! At halftime, Canada leads 58-56 and Brooks is already at 21 points.
The new Rockets winger does it again at the start of the 2nd half, on both sides of the field (65-58). He’s at 6 out of 6! We remain in an attacking match, and that suits Edwards who picks up the score (65-63). The match has changed, with finally some defense, and fewer rotations. The stars are gaining momentum, like Gilgeous-Alexander who takes the game into his own hands (77-73). The level of play improves in quality with distant skill among the Canadians to respond to Edwards’ one-man show (91-82). As in the first half, the variety of Canadian attacks takes over American individualism.
The Mikal Bridges miracle!
The exit of Edwards, to take a breath, does not help matters, and Kelly Olynyk, very valuable, restores 10 points in advance (94-84) after an and-1 on an offensive rebound. Edwards comes back into play, and it is he who finds Haliburton in the corner. The United States signs a 12-0 to overthrow the Canadians (96-94). Clearly, this Sunday, or even in this World Cup, Team USA cannot do without Edwards, Haliburton, Bridges, Reaves and Portis, and we finally have trench basketball with defense and players who are struggling to get this bronze medal.
Like for example, Barrett who takes the axis to restore the advantage to Canada (100-98) at the start of “money time” or Mikal Bridges with this 3-pointer with the mistake in the corner (105-103) . Two minutes to play, and Brooks finds his 3-point leg (106-105)! The Rockets winger hurts a lot, and his aggressiveness allows him to go for free throws (111-107), but also to counter Austin Reaves 15 seconds from the end. Except that Mikal Bridges achieves the impossible: a 4-point action on his own free throw!!! The Nets winger misses his free throw on purpose, and the ball comes back to him in the corner and he scores (111-111). Extension !
Brooks
Has Canada taken a big hit on the head? Gilgeous-Alexander responds with a crossover that sends Bridges to the floor! Canada escapes again and Brooks is still exceptional (121-115). Opposite, the Americans thwart with a “horseshoe” game which does not surprise the Canadian defense. To bring change, Steve Kerr revives Portis with 80 seconds remaining. But Bridges loses two balls, and RJ Barrett knocks out the United States (124-115). After the expulsion of Bobby Portis, Brooks completes the match of his life for a final victory (127-118). As in 2019, the United States returns home without a medal. For Canada, this bronze is a great first!
stats and video summary to come
