Jordy Fernandez’s Canada defeated New Zealand 107-76 in their second friendly before the 2023 World Cup with five players scoring double figures.
OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led their offense with 26 points, 3 assists and 6 steals in 20 minutes of action; Kelly Olynyk and youngster Nickel Alexander-Walker each scored 13 goals.
New Zealand had four of their players in double figures, with Finn Delaney leading the way with 13 points.
After losing their first warm-up match against Dennis Schröder’s Germany, they lost in the final; Jordi Fernandez’s men jumped out from the start led by the ever-aggressive Gilgeous-Alexander in defence.
Shai has shown us how important he is. He set the pace of the game from the start,” admitted Jordi Fernandez.
The Canadians closed the break with a +29 advantage on the scoreboard, and after going through the locker room, they didn’t let up to finish the match with a comfortable +31 for them.
RJ Barrett and Le Dart each scored 11 points and were more accurate from the outside shot on 11/25 shooting and a near-perfect 16/18 from the free throw.
(Cover photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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