It’s USA vs. Canada, the game everyone was hoping would happen on this final day of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, there’s much less at stake than expected, as both favorites went down in the semifinals, leaving us to see these two countries match up for third place.
Team USA’s defense wasn’t up to the task in their 113-111 loss to Germany; the 113 points allowed were the most ever by the Americans in World Cup or Olympic play. Meanwhile, Canada lost 95-86 to Serbia, but their effort this World Cup won’t be looked back on nearly as poorly as that of the Americans, as Canada qualified for the Olympics for the first time since the 2000 Sydney Games.