On paper, Friday’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opener between Canada and France was thought to be a relatively even matchup. Each team features a handful of current NBA players, with the Canadians rostering the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Kelly Olynyk, and RJ Barrett. French standouts include Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier, and Nicolas Batum.
But on the court, it turned out to largely be a mismatch, with Canada winning in a shocking blowout, 95-65 (box score).
