They took the lead from the very beginning and never trailed in the match. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Canadian team made a successful start to the competition by beating Greece, which was caught up in a sluggish match that could have turned in its favour.
” We did a lot of good things. We were aggressive for most of the game. Especially in the first half where we were very good, we controlled the game. “, “SGA” analysis after the meetingpraising the defensive prowess of his team.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo was once again impressive in his ease (34 points on 11/17 shooting), the same cannot be said of his teammates. With the exception of Kostas Papanikolaou (17 points), they all suffered in terms of shooting. Canada thus contained its opponent to a meager 39% success rate.
Greece sometimes had a lot of trouble scoring, especially in the second quarter (only 16 points). As a result, with a 22-9 lead after only six minutes of play, Canada comfortably took the lead at half-time (48-38).
” Offensively, I think we had some good chances at the end, but we didn't manage to put them in. It's clearly not an excuse, we can always make stops and finish the match in a better way. “, judges Gilgeous-Alexander.
A start of confusion with Giannoulis Larentzakis
Finishing better in the game, but also by not getting into a fight with an opposing player for example. Because at the final whistle, a small scuffle broke out in the middle of the field, notably involving Giannoulis Larentzakis and “SGA”.
” I felt like number 5 (Larentzakis) had jostled Nickeil (Alexander-Walker) after the whistle for no reason, so I just wanted to let him know that we don't play like that “, he justifies.
Nothing too bad then for the guard who signed a convincing first outing with his 21 points (5/10 on shots and 9/10 on the line), 7 assists and 5 rebounds. And some high-class shots, converted despite a lot of defensive pressure. It was OK, I could have done better. But I take the win ” he reacts despite everything.
As his team moves on to face Josh Giddey's Australia, then Spain, in the heart of this group of death, the Thunder player is counting on an increase in power throughout the tournament.
” We have to continue to improve at all levels. Myself, the first five, the bench. We have to continue to build continuity, continue to play hard. The more we play, the more we build that, the better a team we will be, hopefully reaching our peak at the end of the tournament. “, he aims.
Photo FIBA.com
