Team Canada crushes China
While Dhillon Brooks put Canada on his back, Chris Boucher was putting China on the glass.
Brooks, heading into his second season with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, scored 19 third-quarter points to turn a big lead into a blowout game, as Canada cruised to a 9762 win over China in the first game of the Pacific Rim Classic Friday night at Rogers Arena.
Boucher showcased the same defensive dominance that he did at the University of Oregon, blocking five shots, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 17 points. He was named Canada’s player of the exhibition game, on the same day the Golden State Warriors waived the 6-10 centre.
The 6-6 Brooks, who scored 21 points after hitting five-of-seven threes in the third quarter, was the top scorer for Canada. Teen phenom R.J. Barrett added 16 points, including a massive first-quarter dunk off transition.
China was led by shooting guard Qian Wu, who hit a game-high seven three-pointers to finish with 27 points. The two teams meet in the second game in this friendly series on Sunday in Victoria.
B.C.’s Kelly Olynyk played only five minutes in the first half, hitting his one shot, a deep three in the first two minutes of the game. He had another five minutes to start the third quarter, and finished with four points and two rebounds.
Canada broke the game open with a 13-4 run in the first, then opened the second quarter with a 12-3 run, putting Canada in cruise mode for the rest of the half.
Canada’s size advantage began to show inside as Boucher began to get the best of China centre Han-Lin Tao. The former Duck went to the line a game-high five times in the first half, hitting nine-of-10 free throws, as Canada held a 28-18 advantage in fouls.
The Pacific Rim Classic served as a warm-up for Canada’s FIBA Americas qualifiers later this month. They host the Dominican Republic and Virgin Islands on June 29 and July 2, respectively.
Canada is second in its group with a 3-1 record.