After cruising through the group phase of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Canada suffered its first loss in the tournament on Friday, 69-65, against Brazil.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Canada with 23 points and five rebounds and Luguentz Dort had 17 points to open the second round. The team shot 33% from the field and was outscored, 33-22, in the paint and in points off turnovers (17-4).
Bruno Caboclo led Brazil (3-1) with 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Gui Santos had 10 points and Yago Santos added eight points and 10 rebounds as Brazil outscored Canada, 24-13, in the fourth quarter after trailing by 12 points in the second half.
DAGGER! 🗡️🇧🇷#FIBAWC x #WinForBrasil pic.twitter.com/7U8Itkv67j
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 1, 2023
Canada entered the contest as 20-point favorites by some sportsbooks, making it one of the most significant losses of the tournament. The team is in a four-way tie for first place in Group L and faces a must-win situation against Spain on Sunday to close out the second round .
Canada defeated Spain, 85-80, during the teams’ exhibition schedule on Aug. 17. Gilgeous-Alexander had 22 points and eight rebounds.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup will help seven countries qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. The seven spots include the top two teams from both the Americas and Europe (not including host France) and one team from Africa, Asia and Oceania.
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