Canada has lived up to the hype through three games of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Canada was in one of the hardest groups in the first round but cruised to a 3-0 record behind the play of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It is now part of Group L in the second round of the Group Phase with Spain, Brazil and Latvia.
Canada and Latvia won't face one another again despite being in the same group. The only two countries standing between Canada and the Final Phase of the tournament are Spain and Brazil.
First up is a matchup with Brazil. Will it be another blowout for Canada or can Brazil pull off an upset?
MORE: What's next for Canada at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
Canada vs Brazil odds
Canada enters this contest as 19.5-point favorites over Brazil.
That's a big spread, but it's not a huge surprise based on how well Canada has played so far in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. It has yet to be challenged, blowing out France by 30 points, Lebanon by 55 points and Latvia by 26 points.
Brazil enters the matchup with a 2-1 record. It defeated both Iran and Cote d'Ivoire in the first round of group play and lost to Spain by 18 points.
Take a look at the spread, over/under and moneyline for this contest, courtesy of BetMGM:
| Spread | Total Points | Moneyline | |
| Canada | -19.5 (-110) | o180.5 (-110) | -5000 |
| Brazil | +19.5 (-110) | u180.5 (-110) | +1350 |
Canada vs Brazil prediction
Our pick: Canada -19.5
Canada is looking like the biggest threat to Team USA right now.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been nothing short of incredible through three games, leading the way with averages of 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists. The only players with a higher scoring average are Luka Doncic (30.0), Jordan Clarkson (24.0), Lauri Markkanen (23.0) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23.0).
France, Lebanon and Latvia had no answer for Gilgeous-Alexander. Now it's Brazil's turn to try and slow him down.
Canada is more than just Gilgeous-Alexander, though. Kelly Olynyk (15.0), RJ Barrett (14.7) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (12.7) are each scoring in double figures for the tournament. Canada also has two of the best perimeter defenders in the World Cup in Dillon Brooks and Luguentz Dort. Dort has missed Canada's last two games, but he was reportedly a full participant at practice ahead of Friday's game.
The focus for Canada will be containing Yago Santos and Bruno Caboclo, who are combining for 31.6 points per game. Santos is coming off a big-time performance against Cote d'Ivoire in which he scored 24 points and dished out 12 assists.
MORE: The reason behind Team USA's surprising lineup change
Biggest storyline: The road to the Olympics
This is where it starts to get interesting.
The goal for every country in the World Cup is to medal, but winning gold, silver or bronze isn't the only way to secure a spot in next year's Olympics. Canada and Brazil are part of the FIBA Americas region with the USA, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela.
Mexico and Venezuela are out of contention, so the two remaining countries that finish the highest in the World Cup standings will earn a trip to Paris. That adds even more importance to this matchup, as Brazil is one of the countries competing directly with Canada.
A victory for Canada on Friday will put it one step closer to the Olympics.
MORE: Which countries have been eliminated from the FIBA World Cup?
Where to watch Canada vs Brazil
- Date: Friday, Sept. 1
- Time: 9:30 a.m. ET | 6:30 a.m. PT
- TV channel: Sportsnet
- Live stream: Sportsnet NOW | Courtside 1891
Canada vs Brazil will air on Sportsnet in Canada. Viewers can also stream the game via Sportsnet NOW or catch a replay on Courtside 1891.
Courtside 1891 offers two subscriptions. Courtside 1891 Plus is free and gives you access to "extended highlights and a curated feed for your favorite teams and competition." Courtside 1891 Max is a paid subscription that allows you to watch "live game streams and full game replays."
If you just want to watch the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, you can buy a pass for the entire tournament for $9.99. An annual pass, which includes the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and other international competitions, costs $44.99. Use code TSN10WC to receive a 10 percent discount.
Geo-restrictions may apply to certain regions. Click here to find out which games are available in your region.
Canada Classification Round group
Canada is in Group L in the second round of group play at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. It is joined by Spain, Brazil and Latvia. Results from the first round of the Group Stage carry over, so Canada is already tied atop the leaderboard with Spain. Canada does hold the tiebreaker over Spain on point differential.
You can find the Group L standings below.
| Country | Record | Points |
| Canada | 3-0 | 6 |
| Spain | 3-0 | 6 |
| Brazil | 2-1 | 5 |
| Latvia | 2-1 | 5 |
