Canada is expected to take on Nigeria in the final slot in the overall standing of Group B for the women basketball event in the on going Olympic games. Canada currently is placed at the bottom of the table with only the two points while Nigeria is placed second on the four points. Below is the summary of the statistics in respect of this match and for the following forecast:
Canada also lost both of their opening matches that were played in Paris. Apparently, they will want to impose themselves in this game and be victorious in order to boost their chances in the knockout rounds. In offence, Lapene’s charges have been lackluster and currently, the team is among two teams which are tallying less than 60 points per match.
This they started by falling 75-54 to the home team of France in their opening fixture of the tournament. In the second match they were slightly better on attack side but still they lost their match 70-65 against Australia. Bridget Carlton is averaging a team high 13. Points distribution was shared with Sabrina or 5 points and Kia Nurse 11. 5 points. Previously, Canada played against Nigeria once and won with the result of that match being in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria came into the World Cup after the qualifying series recording four consecutive losses and then prevented that in their first match. Rena Wakama’s players displayed wonderful performance and they managed to defeat Australia 75/62. Nigeria, the only African country that took part in this year’s Olympics performed well on the tinsel town and capitalized on the Aussies’ turnovers to win.
Olympic women basketball group play is getting delicate with some countries’ qualification for the quarter final stage looming.
Nigeria stands to end the match in the group’s top spot, even if they only manage to edge past the Canadians, while the Canadians maintain their increasingly remote chances of earning a place beyond the group stages if they can convincingly dispose of their rival. Much has to be said about Natalie Achonwa, who has dedicated to improving herself irrespective of her career in WNBA ending in 2022. To wit, she never even managed two assists per game in the W but she is Team Canada’s main playmaker.
Against Australia, the 31-year-old recorded seven assists while playing excellent dribble-handoff play. After passing the ball, she uses her screens to generate a ton of space, which releases shooters and gives them a clear angle or room behind the arc to attack the basket.
When playing Nigeria on Sunday, Achonwa's ability to create offense from the post should be extremely important. Throughout the tournament, Nigeria's half-court offense has been comparatively weak, but they have excelled at forcing turnovers and grab-and-go plays.
In the match against Australia, Nigeria's ball pressure proved to be quite effective, and they will undoubtedly prioritize pressuring Canada's more weaker guard rotation on Sunday.
