U.S. Beat Canada in Pre-World Cup Basketball

Date: 26 August 2019 - 22:17

News ID: ۶۹۷۷۸

SYDNEY (AP) - The United States rebounded from a rare loss two days earlier to outclass Canada 84-68 in a pre-World Cup exhibition basketball game Monday.
At the same arena where the Americans won Olympic gold at the Sydney 2000 Games the U.S. never trailed, leading 20-9 after the first quarter and 46-31 at halftime. Canada was hurt by a poor shooting percentage in the first half, netting just 12 for 43 and three for 14 from the three-point range.
On Saturday, Australia stunned the U.S. 98-94 before a crowd of more than 52,000 in Melbourne, a result that ended the Americans' 78-game winning streak.
The U.S. is missing top NBA players such as LeBron James, James Harden, Paul George and Stephen Curry. It was a dour scoring game after the exciting Saturday result in Melbourne, with both teams committing numerous turnovers Monday.
Jaylen Brown had 19 points to lead the Americans, who out-rebounded Canada 55-37. Donovan Mitchell added 12 points and four assists; Kemba Walker scored 12 points and Myles Turner finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Kyle Wiltjer had 21 points for Canada, while Orlando Magic forward Khem Birch - Canada's lone NBA player in the game - had 13 points and six rebounds.
Overall, the Canadians shot just 35% from the field and 6-for-23 (26%) from three-point range.
Andrew Nembhard, who injured his knee last week, and Kaza Kajami-Keane (ankle) both returned for Canada, while Brady Heslip, a late arrival for the Canadians, played his first game in Australia.
*************Canada's Khem Birch, right, attempts to defend a layup by United States' Harrison Barnes during their exhibition basketball game in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019.