By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A couple of days after the loss to Australia, USA rebounded in a big way with a 84-68 victory over Canada. The last preparation match for both national teams prior to the 2019 FIBA World Cup took place on Monday at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena with 15,155 fans in attendance.
Jaylen Brown led all scorers of Gregg Popovich’s team with 19 points, Donovan Mitchell and Kemba Walker followed with 12 points apiece, Myles Turner posted a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double. On the losing side, Kyle Wiltjer put up a game-high 21 points and Khem Birch added 13.
It was a one-side affair from the 20-9 first-quarter burst. Both sides struggled beyond the arc with USA nailing only 2/14 threes and Canada finishing the preparation match with 6/23.
Up next for both national teams is the World Cup. First round action will see Team USA colliding with the Czech Republic, Turkey and Japan at Shanghai, Canada facing Australia, Lithuania and Senegal at Dongguan. Top two spots in each group land a second round ticket, but the bottom two will move on with classification contests.
Photo Credit: USA Basketball