Canada’s men’s Olympic basketball team went up against the best of the best on Wednesday in Las Vegas and now knows what awaits in Paris.
The Canadians lost 86-72 to the star-studded United States in the first tune-up game for both teams ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Canada’s starters jumped all over the U.S. to start the game, sprinting out to an 11-1 lead early in the first quarter. The Canadians held onto a 21-14 lead after the opening frame.
But Canada’s offence went stagnant in the second quarter, scoring just 12 points to the Americans’ 30. The Canadians went into halftime trailing 44-33.
The Americans would hang on to the lead for the entire second half, pushing it to 15 at the end of the third quarter thanks to a 9-0 run.
None of Canada’s starters played in the fourth quarter, while the Americans also continued to roll through their entire roster.
The last time these two countries met was in the bronze-medal game of last summer’s FIBA World Cup where Canada pulled off a historic victory.
However, that American squad looked very different than the one that will be heading to the Olympics, as the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry will lead the U.S. into Paris.
Canada’s men’s basketball team will be making its first Olympic appearance since finishing seventh at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Basketball will take place July 27 to Aug. 11.
Canada will now head overseas as it continues its preparation for Paris. The Canadians will take on France on July 19 before facing Puerto Rico on July 21.
