—-

Canada might be the world’s second most prolific producer of basketball talent.

But Canada’s team at the FIBA World Cup in China are struggling to survive the Group of Death in Dongguan, China.

Despite a third quarter rally, Canada lost to Australia 108-92.

Canada, with only two NBA players, simply didn’t have the talent to match the Boomers.

Canada, missing injured forward Kelly Olynyk, were out-rebounded 20-11 in the first half, as Australia’s bigs dominated the paint.

Without Jamaal Murray or RJ Barrett among other NBA stars sitting out the tournament, Canada’s undersized guards couldn’t keep up with Australia’s Joe Ingles, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.

Canada’s coach Nick Nurse, fresh off an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors, doesn’t have the firepower and tools to match teams like Australia. His voice went hoarse shouting out plays, challenging refs and cheering on a team playing without Canada’s best players.

Canada will have to beat 6th-ranked LIthuania and try to run up the score because of FIBA tie-breaker rules favoring head-to-head and point differentials. Otherwise, Canada could be heading back across the Pacific early.

(words and images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)