Canada Men Improve to 2-0 at Olympic Games with Win over Australia

Team Canada defeated Australia on Tuesday morning 93-83 to improve to 2-0 thus far at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Australia, the fifth-ranked country in the world according to the FIBA World ranking, is one of the tougher challengers that Canada (seventh in the world according to the same rankings) will have in the tournament, but the Canadians played great defense, particularly in fourth quarter, on their way to the win.

Trailing 49-45 at halftime to an Australia squad that boasts a host of NBA talent, Canada turned things up in the last 20 minutes, outscoring Australia 48-34 in the second half. In the final 10 minutes, Canada allowed just 13 points.

Leading the way for the Canadians was R.J. Barrett, with 24 points on 8-for-14 from the field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8-for-10) and Dillon Brooks (5-for-9, two three-pointers) each scored 16 points. Brooks continued his stellar play on both ends, proving to be a clutch player for the team. Lu Dort added 11 points.

One of the things that will be vital for Canada is staying out of foul trouble. Gilgeous-Alexander picked up two fouls only two minutes into the game, and in the team’s opening game against Greece, Dort and Brooks found themselves in early foul trouble. It is crucial that those three stay on the floor, especially since with FIBA rules the foul out number is five and not six.

Josh Giddey scored 19 points and had seven rebounds and six assists for Australia, while Jock Landale put up 16 points and 12 rebounds. Dante Exum scored 15 off the bench, but sharpshooter Patty Mills struggled, going 2-for-10. Dyson Daniels scored in double figures with 10 points.

Canada faces Spain Friday at 11:15 a.m., while up next for Australia is Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

The United States, who won big in their opener against Serbia, faces South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Americans won a close friendly against South Sudan, 101-100, on July 20, and defeated Serbia 110-84 in their opener, including outscoring Serbia 29-3 when Nikola Jokic was on the bench.