By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Playing without Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum, the French national team started its preparation game for the upcoming pre-Olympic tournament of Manila, Philippines with a win over Latvia.
The final score was 89-72, France led by 20 points in the 33rd minute (71-51) and then relaxed in the closing minutes. Andrien Moerman with 17 points was the top scorer of the winners, captain Boris Diaw added 13 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds, Edwin Jackson and Alexis Ajinca scored 10 points each, while Thomas Heurtel had 6 points and 7 assists.
The guests, which are also preparing for their own pre-Olympic tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, and will have to compete without Kristaps Porzingis and Davis Bertans, were led for most of the game by his brother, Dairis Bertans, who scored 12 points. Kaspars Berzins had 14 points and 7 rebounds. Latvia had a strong first period, led by three points (23-20), but couldn’t keep up after that.