Keeping its emotions in check, Canada played with its head and with its strength in outplaying Slovenia, 100-89, and punching a ticket to the semifinal round of the FIBA World Cup Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Canadians hounded, played tough and physical against Luka Doncic and the rest of the Slovenians all game long as the National Basketball Association star lost his cool and incurred two technical fouls.
Doncic, the star player from the Dallas Mavericks, received his second technical foul in the 6:37 mark of the fourth quarter, leading to his ejection. He got his first technical foul in the first half, but kept on complaining over several non-calls.
“We lost a little bit of concentration,” said Slovenia coach Alexander Sekulic. “They made sem tough shots, we didn’t make open shots. But obviously, we didn’t have enough firepower.”
Led by several NBA players, Canada had too much firepower over Slovenia as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the star player of the Oklahoma City Thunder, exploded for 31 points on top of pulling down 10 rebounds.
Dillon Brooks of the Houston Rockets and Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves tallied 14 points apiece as Canada hit 50% from the field while outrebounding Slovenia, 38-30.
Canada also outran Slovenia, producing more fats break points, 23-7.
As expected, Doncic led the way for Slovenia with 26 points.
