By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Canada started their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 preparation games series with a 96-87 win over Nigeria.
Canada was paced by 14-point efforts from Khem Birch and Kyle Wiltjer as five players finished in double figures, including 12 points from Brady Heslip and 11 points from Melvin Ejim and Kelly Olynyk respectively.
“It was pretty good,” coach Nick Nurse commented of the team’s effort in its first preparation game. “Considering the short amount of time we had [to practice], you see flashes, there’s probably 16, 18 minutes of really good play and now it’s my job to keep extending that out.”
Despite the win, Canada’s roster suffered another blow, as Kelly Olynyk suffered a knee injury during the game. His condition will be evaluated after he has an x-ray, as ESPN reported.
Photo credit: Twitter / Canada Basketball