It was upset central as the second group phase of the men’s 2023 FIBA World Cup commenced, leaving plenty on the line for Sunday.
Canada was in an ugly tussle against Brazil and came up short, Latvia continued its giant-killing ways by defeating defending champion Spain and Italy pulled off a shock victory over Serbia as well. There was that and plenty more on a turbulent Friday for the tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know from Day 8 at the FIBA World Cup:
RESULTS
Group I
Italy 78, Serbia 76
Puerto Rico 102, Dominican Republic 97
Group J
USA 85, Montenegro 73
Lithuania 92, Greece 67
Group K
Germany 100, Georgia 73
Slovenia 91, Australia 80
Group L
Latvia 74, Spain 69
Brazil 69, Canada 65
MAIN TALKING POINTS
Canada stumbles, Latvia plays giant killer again
In a game that one would have to be quite sadistic to watch replays of, Canada’s unbeaten streak came to an end in a rock fight against Brazil.
Looking to maximize the physicality and minimize the possessions, Brazil executed its game plan to perfection and now leaves the Canadians in a do-or-die position. Former Raptor Bruno Caboclo was sensational for Brazil, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, proving a menace on the glass and showing some good strength inside to finish around the basket consistently.
Canada also struggled against Brazil’s guards, Yago Santos in particular proving difficult to deal with as he closed out the game late with a pair of clutch drives. Outside shooting was considered a weakness for the Red and White coming in, and it was exposed in this game, knocking down just 8-for-31 from deep.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who has been a lightning rod for Canada off the bench, made just one of his nine three-point attempts. R.J. Barrett shot just 1-for-8 from the field overall for four points and Dillon Brooks didn’t make a single field goal.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Luguentz Dort were Canada’s best players on the offensive end, combining for 40 of Canada’s 65 points, but there just wasn’t enough support. That will need to change in a hurry on Sunday, as Canada must defeat defending champion and FIBA’s No. 1-ranked team Spain in order to advance to the quarterfinals.
Canada’s 26-point drubbing of Latvia looked like a reality check for the European side after its incredible rally to defeat Olympic silver medallists France. Instead, Latvia shrugged it off in style and continued to live the dream by stunning defending champion Spain.
Davis Bertans led all scorers with 16 points, including three triples, but it was Kristers Zoriks who was the difference maker when it mattered most. After a tense first quarter, Spain looked to have taken command with a 23-7 run to end the third quarter. Down 11 to open the fourth, Andrjs Grazulis scored five quick points while a Bertans-and-one cut the deficit to four.
After former Raptor Juancho Hernangomez pushed the lead back up to six, Zoriks hit back-to-back triples to tie the game and rattle Spain. Zoriks later gave Latvia the lead with just over three minutes remaining and there was no looking back.
Anything possible in Group I after Italy stuns Serbia
Entering this second phase, the Serbians were undefeated with a third-best point differential of plus-91 behind only the U.S. and Canada. Even without Nikola Jokic, they were looking like a strong contender for the podium.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic knocked down a triple to push Serbia’s lead to 16 over Italy and it was looking like another routine day at the office. Fourteen minutes later, and Serbia now faces the reality of being out of the tournament by Sunday after Italy pulled off a stunning 78-76 comeback victory.
Simone Fontecchio was absolutely magnificent for the Italians, finishing with 30 points, seven rebounds and three assists, including two massive shots down the stretch in isolation to secure the win.
Puerto Rico also pulled off a thrilling upset win, defeating the Dominican Republic. Tremont Waters, who was recently acquired by the Raptors 905 in a trade, had a 37-point, 11-assist outburst to lead his team to a win, but Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t make it easy, with a 39-point, 10-rebound effort of his own in the loss. It means the group is now in do-or-die mode for Sunday. Serbia plays the Dominican Republic while Italy plays Puerto Rico; the winner of each game will advance to the quarterfinals.
Montenegro proves U.S. is vulnerable
Want to beat the United States? Keep Anthony Edwards quiet and dominate the glass. That’s what Montenegro showed in pushing the Americans until late, trailing by just four points with as few as three minutes remaining in the game.
Montenegro looked to show multiple bodies at Edwards at every opportunity in the first half, holding him scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting. More importantly, the European side led by one.
Nikola Vucevic, who finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds, proved a major problem as well and was a huge reason Montenegro won the rebounding battle, 48-29. Some key adjustments from U.S. head coach Steve Kerr helped turn things around in the nick of time to clinch a quarterfinal spot.
It’ll be a straight shootout for first place in Group J when USA plays Lithuania, the latter having also clinched a place in the quarters with a 25-point drubbing of Greece.
Two Canadian connections were immense for Lithuania, former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas finished with 15 points and nine rebound, and Ignas Brazdeikis scored 18 points on a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.
Slovenia, Germany advance
Slovenia made one of the statements of the tournament in dumping Australia out of the tournament, looking in control throughout despite Luka Doncic dealing with foul trouble.
Doncic picked up his fourth foul with eight minutes still remaining in the third quarter (remember, five fouls and you’re out in FIBA) but Slovenia bent without ever breaking. Mike Tobey was immense for the Slovenians, with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Germany cruised to victory over Georgia, meaning that it will be a showdown between the Germans and Slovenia for first place in Group K. Both sides are through to the quarters.
PLAY OF THE DAY
While Fontecchio put in a tremendous individual performance for Italy, this passing sequence captured the essence of his team’s performance on the day:
Honourable mention:
Dennis Schroeder going behind his back for the assist to Mo Wagner for the jam:
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco celebrating the shock win over Serbia with fans and players alike was a beautiful sight:
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“I’m really a fan of Manny Pacquiao because I love boxing. A couple of times I said that I have a desire to meet him but I didn’t expect in my life that he’d invite me to his house for dinner. Yesterday night it happened, and you have to be proud of him, all of you Filipinas, because he’s an amazing person. He’s really humble and he surprised me because he’s a true legend in the history of sports, not just in the Philippines or boxing.” – Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco
“A great win, a special night. Again, some good memories to have inside but it’s time already to reset and focus on the next game. About the 40 minutes, incredible effort, I’m really proud of the way we stayed in the game despite a little moment where we shook as a team during the third period. … Seeing the guys fight and compete with such a powerful team, world champion, Euro champion, makes me very proud.” – Latvia coach Luca Banchi
“Offensively, we were not willing to do anything for each other. Space the floor, move the ball, move bodies, and when you play like that, it’s really hard to win. Today was an example, 10 assists to nine turnovers, shot 36 per cent from the field and 27 (per cent) from three, so we didn’t deserve to win.” – Canada coach Jordi Fernandez
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Tremont Waters, Puerto Rico: 37 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds. 7-of-13 from deep.
2. Simone Fontecchio, Italy: 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists. 11-of-15 shooting.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, Dominican Republic: 39 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday will see the completion of the classification-round-ranking teams from 17th to 32nd.
The second group phase resumes Sunday to see who will advance to the quarterfinals. With Slovenia, Germany, USA and Lithuania all through, it’s Group I and Group L with everything to play for.