Splitter leads Brazil past Canada

San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter finally hit the court after recovering from nagging injuries as Brazil dominated Canada yesterday in the Tuto Marchand Cup.

Brazil lead early on with a 24-2 first quarter run. While Canada bounced back in the second quarter and outscored Brazil in the second half, the early lead was enough for Brazil to pull of an 88-70 victory.

Splitter lead Brazil with 14 points, four rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes. Spurs rookie Cory Joseph did not play for Canada.

Brazil will be back in action today against the Dominican Republic at 7 p.m. CST. Joseph could play against Puerto Rico at 5 p.m. CST in the second round of the cup.

Brazil will be especially dependant on Splitter with Nene, Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa not playing for the national team this summer. It’ll be a good chance for Spurs fans to see Splitter play extended minutes against some heavy competition, including Many Ginobili and Argentina,  in the FIBA Americas Championship starting on August 31 in Argentina.

Erazem Lorbek, who the Spurs acquired in the draft day trade for George Hill, had 13 points and six rebounds as Slovenia beat Lithuania. Davis Bertans, whose draft rights were also acquired in the same trade, had eight points and three assists in 27 minutes in an 84-73 win over Georgia.