Canada’s men’s basketball team remained undefeated in its return to Olympic basketball with a 88-85 win over Spain on Friday afternoon in Lille, France.
Canada eliminated Spain, ranked No. 2 in the world and a medalist in three of the previous four Olympics, thanks to a balanced effort, though the Spaniards kept it tight throughout, even hoisting a heaved three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have forced overtime.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard had 18, most in an outstanding second half and Gilgeous-Alexander found RJ Barrett for a crucial three-pointer late.
Dario Brizuela scored 17 for Spain, which could have topped the so-called Group of Death with a win, but instead was eliminated at 1-2. That’s how close Group A was. Canada had already advanced to the quarter finals, but now has a shot at finishing group play with either the second or third-best record. The higher the finish, the greater the odds of avoiding No. 1 USA until the final, should they get that far.
Canada led 49-38 at the half but Spain got within a point with 2.7 seconds remaining before Gilgeous-Alexander, who had uncharacteristically struggled at the free throw line earlier, hit a pair.
The quarters shift to Paris and take place on Tuesday.
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