Shai scores 23, Barrett adds 21 as Canada lock down France

ORLEANS (France) – Canada are better than they were a year ago. Significantly.

With Andrew Nembhard now in the team and ready to provide quality minutes at point guard, and with Khem Birch and Trey Lyles also on the roster to provide rim protection and additional toughness in the paint, Canada look legit.

Just ask France.

Canada beat them on Friday night in Orleans, 85-73.

Once they fell behind against the team from North America, it was always going to be tough.

Boosted by returning stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, workhorse center Dwight Powell and captain Kelly Olynyk, Canada played like a well-oiled machine.

France played like a team that, well, is still searching for the best version of itself. The players are there. Even with Nic Batum unable to play tonight, France had as star-studded team, one with twin towers Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama.

Nando de Colo, Guerschon Yabusele and Mathias Lessort brought impetus from the bench and helped France play their best basketball of the night.

But Canada were far better, from start to finish, save a stretch early in the third quarter. Don’t bet against this team going far at the Olympics, not with the multitude of options it has on offense and its outstanding defense. Tough as nails.

The story of the game

When Gilgeous-Alexander is on the court, Canada are better than everyone else. His shifty movements and ability to score with jump shots, floaters and layups make him impossible to guard.

When he wasn’t on the court, particularly in the second half, RJ Barrett just took over on offense.

What makes Canada so difficult to beat is that their players can create their own shots. Both Gilgeous Alexander and Barrett repeatedly drew contact on their drives and earned trips to the free-throw line.

They led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and went to half-time up, 44-40. France started well in the third quarter, particularly Evan Fournier, whose step-back 3-pointer closed the gap to 44-43.

France then had four different possessions to take the lead, but did not. On the fifth, they did when Wembanyama connected on a jumper to make it 45-44.

The French then had two more chances to build on their lead yet Fournier misfired and Frank Ntilikina next turned it over with a bad pass.

Canada then reasserted themselves with Gilgeous-Alexander getting to the line and making both free-throws, and Barrett, after a Rudy Gobert turnover on a bad pass, struck for one of his three 3-pointers. He missed just once from long range.

The visitors led by at least several points the rest of the way.

The player of the game

While it’s tempting to go with an unsung hero like Powell, who seems to sacrifice his body every minute, this honor will go to a couple of others – Gilgeous-Alexander and Barrett.

They combined for more than half of Canada’s 85 points and frustrated France from start to finish.

The stats of the Game

Canada were 14 of 16 at the free-throw line at half-time, and finished 26 of 30 (86%) on the night.

Canada also had 25 points off 20 French turnovers. Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 points and Barrett 21. Remind me why Gilgeous-Alexander was not the MVP of the NBA this past season? He sure looks like the best player in the world when he puts on the Canada jersey.

The takeaways from the game

Teams cannot afford to fall behind Canada, who were clinical with the lead. And when the Canadians hit a rough patch in the third quarter, they never panicked and seemed to be in control.

What a luxury it is, too, to have Kelly Olynyk coming off the bench. He was 6 of 7 from the floor and had 14 points in 14 minutes. Wow!

On this evidence, Canada should get a medal.

France are not jelling and they are running out of time. The pressure is on Vincent Collet to get the maximum out of his team. On the plus side for France, De Colo looks healthy and there is a lot of experience.

Batum’s experience, length and defense will make France better. The youngsters Matthew Strazel, Bilal Coulibaly and Ntililkina are talented yet they must play much better if France are going to contend for a medal.

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