Between Canada, which is coming off a convincing victory against France (85-73), and Puerto Rico, which has just suffered a fairly clear defeat against Australia (90-75), the balance seemed to tip towards the former. And, after 12 points scored – in power – by the duo Dillon Brooks – RJ Barrett, the prediction was confirmed.
But, as untenable as he was against our Blues, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is hooded in the first quarter, perfectly tied up offensively by GTA, namely José “Grand Theft” Alvarado. Conversely, although on the ground, the latter delivers a caviar of a pass for the dunk of George Conditt IV and Isaiah Pineiro shows himself opportunistic near the circle to finish the first quarter level (23-23).
It took a great entrance from Trey Lyles (13 points in 8 minutes) for Canada to get a little more comfortable…
And again, the Alvarado-Waters duo sows discord in the Canadian defense, which loses its rigor and leads by only 6 lengths at the break (46-40). With its superstar SGA who only has 3 points on the clock, scored in the last minute of the half.
A 15-0 Canadian after the break
With 8 lost balls and a rebound deficit (-4) in the first half, Canada is not yet at its best and makes adjustments at half-time, with the intensity slider placed upwards.
Jordi Fernandez's men inflict an 8-0 which turns into a stinging 15-0 after the break! The Puerto Rican defense cracks on all sides and Canada flies away to +14 before the last quarter (78-64).
Jose Alvarado chains four shots almost in quick succession behind the arc and, without realizing it, Puerto Rico comes back to only 6 lengths. Opposite, Brooks and SGA repel his attacks by getting closer to the circle and, after a double technical foul for Alvarado and Brooks who were chatting quietly in their corner, Canada opens its bench wide and imposes its domination for good (103-93).
Despite José Alvarado's hot streak (21 points at 5/10 on 3-pointers), Canada therefore scored twice in Orléans, with a well-distributed score between Dillon Brooks (21 points), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (15 points) and Trey Lyles (15 points), plus RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 14 points.
