Canada point guard Corey Joseph (R). (Photo : Reuters)
Tournament favorite Canada meets unheralded team Cuba in day 3 of the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Wednesday.
Cuba was trounced by Venezuela in their opener last Monday, 73-52, as the team simply lacks the international experience and overall size and strength to compete in the regional stage.
Daniel Scott's boys were led by 10 points and seven boards from 21-year-old power forward Jasiel Rivero while point guard Osmel Oliva and team captain William Granda had three assists each in their first game back at the FIBA Americas after missing the tournament's 2013 edition, as per FIBA Live Stats.
Meanwhile, powerhouse Canada, who is loaded with NBA players, will play their first game on Tuesday against Argentina before this match against Cuba.
The Canadians, coached by veteran mentor and former national team player Jay Triano, is the odds-on favorite to win the tournament as they boast off some of the most recognizable names in the competitions, such as 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, 2013 first overall pick Anthony Bennett, and 2014 NBA champions Cory Joseph of the San Antonio Spurs.
Canada swept the 2015 Marchand Continental Championship Cup by beating powerful teams Argentina, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, as reported by the Canadian Olympic Club website.
This game against Cuba is anticipated to be a blowout and they might even reach a 50-point winning margin if everything falls into place for former Toronto Raptors head coach Triano.
Prediction: Canada wins, 105-56
Cuba starting five: Yoan Haiti (C), Jasiel Rivero (PF), William Granda (SF), Yuniskel Molina (SG), Osmel Oliva (PG)
Canada starting five: Kelly Olynyk (C), Anthony Bennett (PF), Andrew Wiggins (SF), Nik Stauskas (SG), Cory Joseph (PG)
