3rd Place Game Preview: NBA stars look to shine and get the medal

MANILA (Philippines) - United States and Canada will face off in the 3rd Place Game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Sunday in an all-North American showdown.

USA will be looking to bounce back from their Semi-Finals lose to Germany and capture their 13th World Cup medal and fifth third place podium finish. After finishing seventh in 2019, the Americans also hope to avoid leaving consecutive World Cups empty-handed for the only time since the three tournament stretch from 1963 to 1970.

Canada will be highly motivated to win their first World Cup medal after reaching the Semi-Finals for the first time in history but losing to Serbia.

The game at the Mall of Asia Arena will tip off at 16:30 local time or 4:30 in the morning on the east coasts of United States and Canada.

Anthony Edwards

Key matchup: United States have numerous offensive weapons but the biggest of those is Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 18.1 points per game. It seems that Canada will deploy their defensive stopper Dillon Brooks on Edwards to limit the damage.

At the other end, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the leader of the Canada attack and USA will have to find a way to limit his overall effectiveness. Jalen Brunson and the rest of the USA guards will be the first level of defense.

X-factor: Both teams will be disappointed about not reaching the Final and will be looking to bounce back. Heart plays such a major role in winning important games, and Canada might have the extra motivation of finally winning their first medal whereas USA have already won so much and the urgency might not be there as a national collective as for Canada.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Stats don't lie: Both countries are among the top three scoring teams in the competition, with USA number one at 102.6 points per game and Canada not far behind at 94.7. So this game promises to be a track meet.

Canada do a better job limiting turnovers, ranking seventh fewest with 11.0 per game while USA lose the ball 13.4 times per contest. That could have a major impact as USA average 22.1 points off turnovers while totaling 26.3 fast break points.

Past matchups: Canada and United States have faced off 22 times and USA have lost just once - in the first group stage of the FIBA AmeriCup 2005. Despite being neighbors and perceived rivals, these teams have only met once since 2007, USA winning the 3rd Place Game at AmeriCup 2022. United States have won all seven World Cup games, the last one coming in 1986.

They said: "(The loss to Germany) is going to sting for a little bit. We're going to go back, eat and go to sleep and tomorrow is going to be a new day. We'll be ready as soon as we wake up in the morning. This is a tough loss. We just need to use it as fuel tomorrow." - USA guard Jalen Brunson

"The next game is to play for a medal. I know (the Semi-Finals loss) is emotional for everybody, but I know these guys will do whatever it takes to go get that medal." - Canada head coach Jordi Fernandez Torres

 Here are more features written about USA:

USA v Germany: The best game in FIBA history?

With defense a given, Bridges starting to flash offense for USA

06/09/202"Angry" USA made Italy pay for their loss against Lithuania

USA qualify directly for 2024 Olympics

Birthday boy Brunson: USA's vocal leader who does it all

King James' unlikely heir: Reaves-mania taking over the World Cup

Five things we learned from USA unbeaten buildup to the World Cup

USA's Spoelstra set for emotional return to Philippines 

 

Here are more features written about Canada:

The fourth Alexander making waves

Canada fly over Slovenia to reach first Semis

Dillon Brooks, Canada's Most Valuable 'Villain'

Canada back to the Olympics after 24 years

Gilgeous-Alexander shines in superstar battle v Doncic

FIBA