Source: EuroHoops.net
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SGA is a cheat code, and other notes from the men’s national team’s opening win over Greece at the Olympics: sportsnet.ca/olympics/artic… – 8:09 PM

RJ Barrett (23 points) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21) are the 3rd Canadian duo to score more than 20 points apiece in their Olympic debuts. The last to do it? Rowan Barrett (21 points) and Michael Meeks (27) vs Australia in 2000. – 6:39 PM

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort have heated words with Greece players after Canada’s win (via @The_ThunderWire):
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2024/07/27/sha… – 6:31 PM



Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada to 86-79 win over Greece to kick off 2024 Olympics (via @The_ThunderWire):
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/lists/shai-gil… – 5:50 PM

Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was expecting a ‘good fight’ from Greece to start the Olympic Games
“They know how to play, are well coached, and obviously a really good team”
#Paris2024
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 5:41 PM

Giannis Antetonoumpo scored more points than the minutes he played, but it wasn’t enough to beat Canada


Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Team Canada survived a scare from Greece:
si.com/nba/thunder/ne… – 5:25 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kostas Papanikolaou couldn’t carry the load alone against Canada
Giannis & Kostas – Combined for 51 PTS
Rest of the Greek NT – 28 PTS pic.twitter.com/XGQGjCVSad – 5:24 PM




Giannis defending Larentzakis from Shai
#Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/7E9UbXsise – 5:21 PM

Things get spicy at the end of the game with SGA and Larentzakis. #GRECAN #Paris2024 #Basketball
pic.twitter.com/d6Nwyb7SET – 5:21 PM

Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on postgame exchange with Greece after opening win: “No. 5 bumped Nickeil [Alexander-Walker] after the whistle for no reason. I just wanted to let him know we don’t play that. It was hashed out. It was cool.” – 5:18 PM

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had something to say to Giannoulis Larentzakis after the game


Tough finish for Giannis and the Greeks but an incredible effort to push Canada to the brink. Canada doesn’t have much size but they threw waves of defenders at Giannis and he still put up 34 points 11/17 fg & 12/15 ft. Must-win games against Spain (Tues) & Australia (Fri) ahead. – 5:15 PM

Jamal Murray finishes with 8 points and 3 assists off the bench in Canada’s Group A opener vs. Giannis and Greece — he hit two clutch free-throws down the stretch to seal the victory. pic.twitter.com/3Z05IpIxJk – 5:15 PM


Canada wins their first game of the Group Stage over Giannis and Greece to go to 1-0 in their group.
Jamal Murray came off the bench and had 8 points and 3 assists. Wasn’t his most efficient self but made 2 free throws in the clutch.
pic.twitter.com/GLpn6vlWOg – 5:15 PM

Not pretty as Canada had a hard time closing out Greece 86-79. Giannis had 34. SGA with absurd buckets in fourth and down the stretch (the usual). Shaky start for Jamal. Canada was very tough to score on with Brooks and Dort on the floor, but each fouled out. RJ leads with 23. – 5:14 PM

Shai today:
21 PTS
7 AST
2 BLK
Took down Greece. pic.twitter.com/030jujK9Kc – 5:12 PM


Giannis gave it all in the Greeks’ loss to Canada


Looks like SGA was mad at #5 from Greece for sorrynotsorry bumping cousin Nickel away from the play at the buzzer. You mess with one cousin you got two to deal with. Respect it. – 5:11 PM

Some tense moments late that Jordi Fernandez won’t be happy about, but Canada gets the result it needs with win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. – 5:10 PM

Looks like Giannoulis Larentzakis elbowed Nickeil Alexander-Walker at the end of the game and his cousin as well as teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was having none of it – 5:10 PM

FINAL: Canada 86, Greece 79
SGA – 21 points on 5/10 shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 9/10 FTs
Dort – 8 points on 2/4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Canada is 1-0 in Group Play – 5:09 PM

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Olympic debut
21 PTS
5-10 FG
2-3 3PT
4 REB
7 AST
1 STL
2 BLK
1 dagger bucket
Lu Dort: 8 PTS/4 REB/2 AST/1 STL
Canada beat Greece 86-79. pic.twitter.com/ki4DwbGkFY – 5:09 PM


A little too close for comfort for Canada, but it gets the victory against Greece, 86-79 (was 82-79 late in fourth), in men’s 5×5 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics. RJ Barrett with 23 points; Giannis Antetokounmpo with 34 points. – 5:07 PM

Canada wins by 7, a big time finish when it got hectic down the stretch. This SGA guy might have a chance – 5:07 PM

Canada narrowly holds on against Greece, sidestepping a monster game by Giannis Antetokounmpo
#Paris2024
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 5:07 PM

Canada survives 34 points from Giannis, their 3-best Giannis defenders (Brooks/Dort/Powell) fouling out, and a late 10-0 Greece run to win its Olympic opener, 84-79. Far from perfect, especially down the stretch, but they hold off for the wire-to-wire W. Barrett with 23, SGA 21. – 5:07 PM


Shai Gilgeous-Alexander willing Canada to a win.
Greece cut it to 80-78 after a big run.
SGA hits a clutch bucket with 30 seconds to go.
pic.twitter.com/aiTCmT5bOU – 5:06 PM

Insane shot by SGA. Over Giannis too. One of the best closers in the league
pic.twitter.com/FnyX9pULZ1 – 5:05 PM



Wow what a basket by SGA. Hits the tough floater and Canada leads 82-78 with 42 secs left – 5:02 PM

Shai is soooo damn good! Kid plays at his own pace and is smoooth as silk – 5:02 PM

D-Wade’s “ooooh” as he and all of us thought the defense had SGA in a good position was amazing. What a floater! – 5:02 PM



Giannis and the Miracles are down 4 with Canada with 43 seconds left #Paris2024 – 5:01 PM

Lyles turns the ball over in the backcourt, Giannis dunk, Greece within 2, 1 minute left. Gulp. – 5:01 PM

The fouls that Giannis Antetokounmpo drew on the Canadians throughout the day has paid off as both Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort have fouled out and things are a little easier for Greece on offense now.
Greece has cut it back down to four points. Canada up, 80-76, with 1:15 left. – 4:59 PM

SGA dancing into a stepback 3 to put Canada up double digits late: pic.twitter.com/cEYoIiatFZ – 4:56 PM

Nasty stepback 3-pointer by SGA late in this contest. Canada needed that basket
pic.twitter.com/ktLuBYaYac – 4:53 PM

Dort 3 followed by an SGA 3.
Thunder on a 6-0 run and up double digits after Greece cut it to 72-68. – 4:53 PM

SGA with the nasty stepback 3-pointer. Canada back up 78-68 over Greece with 4:21 left in the 4Q – 4:51 PM

Big Lu Dort 3 off an assist from SGA.
Dort never afraid of the moment on the big stage.
Much needed bucket for Canada after a run from Greece. – 4:50 PM

Absolutely massive pair of threes for Canada by Dort (assisted by SGA) and then Shai himself on the step back. Much needed breathing room in a game you simply have to win with Australia and Spain to come.
#Paris2024 – 4:50 PM

A little Thunder-on-Thunder connection as SGA dishes it out to Dort for the 3-pointer. Gives Canada some breathing room with a 75-68 lead with 4:57 left in the 4Q – 4:50 PM

Good Lord. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a step back triple to put Canada up double digits with 4:22 left at this timeout. Sheesh. – 4:50 PM

SGA gets called for the push-off. All momentum is on Greece’s side. Canada’s lead cut to 72-68 with 7:05 left in the 4Q – 4:45 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo is receiving MVP chants at the Paris Olympics.
He has 27 points, and Greece is down by 6 against Canada with 7 minutes to play. pic.twitter.com/mbcyqKMJgn – 4:44 PM


End of 3Q: Canada 68, Greece 60
SGA – 14 points on 3/6 shooting, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 7/8 FTs
Dort – 5 points on 1/3 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists – 4:36 PM

Giannis getting his right quad worked on here as time runs out in the third. He doesn’t seem too concerned. – 4:35 PM

Giannis to the bench now, probably just for a few minutes, so Canada has to take advantage (especially with Brooks/Dort in foul trouble). They were -4 in 3 mins when Giannis rested in the 1st half. SGA also on the bench. Canada’s lead down to 6. – 4:30 PM

Dort and now Brooks have 4 fouls apiece, meaning Canada’s top perimeter defenders are both on the bench with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Could be a major turning point, with Greece back within 7. Lyles inherits the Giannis assignment. – 4:24 PM

DWade mentioned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserved MVP this past season. – 4:13 PM

Gotta take a 10pt halftime lead
Starters have been great and Canada’s gonna have to bank on that the rest of the way. All the help on Giannis is creating really good looks from the outside, either change the help pattern or maybe let the math play out by not conceding threes. – 3:59 PM

Very encouraging first half from Canada who lead Greece 48-38. SGA with 14, RJ w 13. Canada winning TO battle (9-5) though Greece has made more 3s (6-4). This Giannis guy is good, has 16-3-2 in 17 minutes. – 3:59 PM

Canada leads Greece 48-38 going into halftime.



Canada up 48-38 on Greece at halftiime in Paris. A very, very solid half. RJ has 13, SGA 12, Brooks 11. And Dort’s defence on the ball eats seconds off the shot clock for Greece and has been a huge factor – 3:56 PM

Early Olympics notes…
1. The Gold Zone is great
2. Really like Eagle and D Wade together
3. It’s fun to be reunited with so many failed NBA Draft picks
4. It’s nice to be able to root against Dillon Brooks again.
5. I missed Giannis and Wemby.
6. Handball! – 3:56 PM

HALF: Canada 48, Greece 38
SGA – 12 points on 3/6 shooting, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 5/6 FTs
Dort – 2 points on 0/2 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists – 3:55 PM

Canada led wire-to-wire in the 1st half, but Greece is hanging around. SGA, Barrett and Brooks have 35 points on 11-18 FG, 4-6 3P. Giannis has 16 of the 38 for Greece. Canada by 10 at the break. – 3:55 PM


Kostas Papanikolaou discussed his foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Dwyane Wade, who is commentating the games at the Olympics. Both exchanged some words and smiles. pic.twitter.com/mGMUBAXfYn – 3:46 PM


I just know most Thunder fans held their breath when SGA went for that dunk in traffic lol – 3:44 PM

Giannis Antetokounmpo is truly a special player.
Won MVPs. NBA champion. All-NBA.
BUT.
I cringe when he takes a 3.
Will he make one? Sure, but his misses are ouch.
Canada up 8 on Greece in 2nd quarter. #Paris2024 – 3:42 PM

This is supposed to be Jamal Murray’s lineup yet Lu Dort has been more assertive with the ball so far. Lack of scorers minus SGA will be Canada’s biggest weakness – 3:35 PM

Greece show their experience to not get rattled by Canada’s hot start. The Canadian bench is a soft spot and Greece took advantage, 26-22 CAN lead after 1Q.
SGA 8pts in the 1st Q
#Paris2024 – 3:28 PM

Thanks to some hot shooting and, well, Giannis, Greece punches back. Canada led by as many as 13 points, but after a hot start, were outscored 13-4 to close the 1st quarter. SGA & Giannis lead their respective teams with 8 points apiece. Barrett with 7. Canada by 4 going into Q2. – 3:28 PM

End of 1Q: Canada 26, Greece 22
SGA – 8 points on 3/5 shooting, 2 assists, 1 block
Dort – 1 assist – 3:27 PM

Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard now checking in off the bench for Canada, making his Olympic debut. They’re facing Giannis + Greece. – 3:21 PM

SGA did SGA things. #GRECAN #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/anrAi5mgSf – 3:18 PM

In the run-up to this, SGA said of himself:
“I don’t see it as like ownership. I see it as a contribution”
Yeah, right – 3:17 PM

“shai gilgeous-alexander is in his baguette right now” pic.twitter.com/l3d7ZJ5PJe – 3:15 PM


Shai. Gilegous. Alexander.
8 of Canada’s 19 points in 5 minutes, including a very tough step-back through contact on the baseline.
Yeah, he’s ready. – 3:15 PM

Εντελώς άλλο επίπεδο ταχύτητας σε όλα μέχρι στιγμής. Το κακό είναι πως ο Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ζεστάθηκε από νωρίς και η άμυνα τον «βλέπει» μόνο στα ριπλέι. #GRECAN #PARIS2024 – 3:14 PM

SGA with the sidestep 3. Canada has a 19-7 lead over Greece with 6:22 left in the 1Q. He’s up to 8 points already – 3:14 PM

This is how you wanna see these boys come out, step on the throat early
SGA leading by example – 3:14 PM


Special shot making from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pic.twitter.com/PhKkppfHuB – 3:13 PM

SGA dances with the defender and nails the tough fadeaway &-1 bucket. Celebrates a bit on the floor by putting his hands behind his head with a smile
Commentator Dwyane Wade said he’s never seen him with this much swag before in the NBA lmao – 3:11 PM

That’s some defense Canada plays on the perimeter with Dort, SGA and Brooks out there. – 3:10 PM



Textbook perimeter defense by SGA there. Gets the stop from behind – 3:06 PM


OKCanada’s starting backcourt:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lu Dort
Jamal Murray will come off the bench. – 3:03 PM

As expected, Canada starts SGA, Barrett, Dort, Brooks and Powell vs. Greece
Been a long long time waiting for this one – 3:00 PM

Team Canada starters vs. Greece:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Lu Dort
Dillon Brooks
RJ Barrett
Dwight Powell – 2:56 PM

Canada will start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and Dwight Powell in its Olympic opener vs Greece.
Jamal Murray off the bench. – 2:56 PM

Thunder fans wanting to watch SGA/Dort vs Giannis today, a heads up:
Canada vs Greece
2PM central


Give everything. Regret nothing. pic.twitter.com/dcui3a9GyI – 11:58 AM

After losing to Australia, things are not going to get easier for Spain which is facing Giannis and Greece #Paris2024
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 7:57 AM

Paris #OlympicGames basketball tournament is about to start
Check out the Power Rankings before the opening tip-off to see where Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece, Victor Wembanyama’s France, Yuta Watanabe’s Japan, and other teams have landed:
basketnews.com/news-209571-ol… – 3:32 AM