Depth is starting to make a difference
Canada rebounds from sluggish start to defeat Puerto Rico at FIBA Americas
MEXICO CITY — For all of their talent, Friday’s game against Puerto Rico seemed like a logistical nightmare for Canada.
Puerto Rico’s only win heading into the game was against Cuba, who went 0-4 in the tournament. A loss would have all but eliminated them from contention for the semifinals, and one of the two automatic Olympic berths, ratcheting up their desperation.
Additionally, this was Canada’s fourth game in as many days, the first of two times they will endure that gauntlet in Mexico City. Puerto Rico was coming off a rest day.
And there were major signs of that fatigue: an air-balled free throw from Andrew Wiggins, an air-balled corner three-pointer from Cory Joseph, and total annihilation on the glass. Things were falling apart as the second quarter wound down.
What followed was the most encouraging sign about this team yet. Canada’s 112-92 win showed this team is coming together, in all the best ways.
“I think in the one timeout … I said (that) we need to win the last 2:50, or whatever it was on the clock, and that we were getting outplayed, we were getting outworked, basically,” Canada coach Jay Triano said. “I mean, they got three offensive rebounds off of free throws because they wanted it more. This has to matter to our guys and I was really pleased with the way they responded. I think we grew up in that last 2:30 or 3:50 or whatever it was.”
It has only been three days, but it feels as if a lot has changed for Canada since their opening loss to Argentina. It has been almost cliché: young team learns painful lesson, and responds in kind.
Whereas Canada tried fruitless individual forays as Argentina ran away from them on Tuesday, they answered Puerto Rico on Friday with savvy ball movement that led to open three-pointers.
Canada moved on defence like the slippery floor was ablaze, and the open Puerto Rican shots ceased. They took advantage of the whistle-happy referees, driving with abandon, knowing any contact would result in two free throws. And when their opponents had to adjust, they kicked the ball out to the corners for uncontested three-pointers.
A 44-35 deficit turned into a two-point lead at the half. Combine that 11-0 run with the third quarter, and Canada outscored Puerto Rico 46-16 in just more than 12 total minutes.
It was a game that also displayed Canada’s depth. Joseph had three fouls heading into the second half, so Triano elected to sit him to start the third quarter, with Phil Scrubb starting in his place. Scrubb finished with 12 points, three assists and, crucially, no turnovers.
With Dwight Powell out with an elbow injury and Andrew Nicholson struggling badly, Robert Sacré went from 12th man to the floor. He stabilized Canada’s early rebounding problems.
You have to like the commitment heading into the second round, which starts Sunday. In short, Canada looked like a tested international team, which they certainly are not. Maybe they are on their way there, though.