It was an early test for the French team against Canada… And it’s an understatement to say that the Blues missed it (95-65)!
Limited to 25 points, while conceding 52 in the second half, France completely took the water against the onslaught of an imperial Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists). The Blues have already grilled their joker!
The Blues blow hot and cold
At the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta, the Blues started their tournament in great style, with a 7-0 boost by Nando De Colo who took advantage of good screens from Rudy Gobert on the pick & roll. Opposite, the response is quick with Dillon Brooks who connects two dunks in a row.
It initiates a 14-2 for the Canadians who are recovering. In a harsh start to the match, with a lot of intensity and contacts, the Blues are on alternating current, leaving with a 9-0 to win the first quarter by a short header (18-14).
Overall embarrassed by the defensive aggressiveness of the Canadians, the Blues suffer the fight, even if Nicolas Batum continues to lead by example, with a huge counter on an attempted dunk from Lu Dort.
That Devil by Kelly Olynyk
Returning two minutes from the end of the first quarter, and this for his first minutes of the summer, Mathias Lessort did a lot of good in the hardness under the panels, including a basket plus the fault for 8 points in 11 minutes.
France raced in the lead at the start of the 2nd quarter, on the shoulders of a bleeding Evan Fournier in attack (19 points at the break!).
But Kelly Olynyk hurts badly, with a lucky shot plus the foul… but also by provoking an unsportsmanlike foul on Gobert with a nasty nudge on a screen. In general, the Blues make too many mistakes and lose too many balls (9 in the first half), a problem already seen during the preparation.
It notably puts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in his match, he who scored his first basket 4 minutes from the end of the half, but a basket to go back in front for Canada. Despite the efforts of Evan Fournier in attack, and Nicolas Batum in defense, the Canadians remain in front at the break, with an SGA finally awake and already 12 points from this devil of Kelly Olynyk (43-40)…
SGA superstar
The awakening of the “All NBA” is confirmed upon returning from the locker room. He finds his favorite spots by sneaking gracefully into the tricolor defense. He chained 13 points on a scathing 16-4 from the Canadians, including a 3-pointer from the parking lot. The Blues are on the ropes at -15… and even -18 after a new 3-point from Kelly Olynyk!
The Blues are completely disintegrating in attack. It takes miracle shots, like this 3-pointer in the corner from Nando De Colo, to reduce a gap that is growing inexorably in favor of a simply dominating Canada (25-8 over the period). As a symbol, Dillon Brooks crushes Terry Tarpey for the and-one and the gap is dizzying: -20 before the last quarter (68-48).
The rout is total
Limited to 8 small points in 10 minutes in the third quarter, the Blues try to limit the breakage with the managers, Evan Fournier and Nando De Colo. But the rout is total. The French team is without response to an SGA who continues his clinic, even causing a technical foul to Vincent Collet, annoyed by the arbitration.
The cup is full when Dillon Brooks pulls out the muscles again for a more foul layup. The gap rose to 33 units and Mathias Lessort lost a ball on a benign raise… The two recurring black points of the French game, the rebound (15 conceded offensive rebounds) and the lost balls (17), still weighed heavily.
Overwhelmed by events, on the field as on the bench, the Blues simply missed their first match. “We had a nice wank, there are no other words! »concluded Evan Fournier (21 points) after this rout (95-65).
The Blues therefore toast their “joker” from the first match. “It’s a good entry slap, but maybe it was needed. We have to stay together”added a Nicolas Batum remained silent in attack.
Boxscore and Highlights to come…
Photo credit: FIBA
