After struggling against Germany in their first exhibition game, Team Canada bounced back with a strong showing against New Zealand in a 107-76 win.
This was Canada’s second friendly as they continue to prepare for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which is set to kick off on Aug. 25.
It appears Canada will go as far as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will take them. After an eight-point outing last time, he bounced back with a much stronger performance of 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting, three assists and six steals in 19 minutes.
Off the bench, Lu Dort had 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting and two steals in 19 minutes.
Canada quickly set the tone of this game as they entered halftime with a lopsided 67-38 lead. A 39-14 second-quarter scoring advantage helped put this game out of reach.
Canada’s full box score from their win over New Zealand can be viewed below:
Let’s look at the instant reactions and highlights of Canada’s 31-point exhibition win and Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominating performance on both sides of the court.
No shot feels like a bad shot for @shaiglalex #FIBAWC | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/GcXJjOVakY
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 12, 2023
wait a minute. pic.twitter.com/HdY5tuo9h0
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 12, 2023
Oh my quite the &-1 by SGA
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 12, 2023
the straight line drives. pic.twitter.com/KrHzIOszVu
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 12, 2023
The defense from Dillon Brooks and what a block from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pic.twitter.com/qw1teDE0g1
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 12, 2023
International play is different, look no further than Dillon Brooks getting a hard show in pick and roll. I again point to the jumpshot from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, looking smooth. pic.twitter.com/jhhWseIWQH
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 12, 2023
SGA fakes the corner 3 and then immediate eats in the post
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 12, 2023
Lu Dort stepbacks always get me. pic.twitter.com/XBPbFFSRyz
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 12, 2023
Too nasty
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 12, 2023
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against New Zealand
26 points
9-12 Shooting
3 assists
6 steals
1 block2-Way MASTERCLASS pic.twitter.com/FLWmZHf5fP
— TF (@ThunderFocus) August 12, 2023
Canada cruises into tomorrow’s DBB SuperCup Final 💪🍁@shaiglalex led the way with 26 points (9-12 FG) to help the Senior Men’s National Team pick up their first exhibition win ahead of the @FIBAWC #WinForCanada | #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/dgOjaP4Wrc
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 12, 2023
