Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s smile was wide, the grin of an unashamed culprit, as he pointed toward the mess he left. With Greece possessions away from upsetting Canada, SGA took matters into his own dribble.

A few pounds of the ball, a trip between the legs, one behind the back and a lethal step back in playground succession. On Saturday, Pierre Mauroy Stadium was his playground.

And this version of SGA — jersey untucked, seeking off-dribble 3s more than ever — was a mad man. In such control over the game, so clearly the heartbeat for Canada’s attack that its 86-79 win over Greece didn’t end without his finishing touches.

Mussatto: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set to take global stage as face of Team Canada

Giannis Antetokounmpo and friends only continued to threaten the Canadian lead, shaving it down to two points inside the final minute when Gilgeous-Alexander snatched back into a predictable double team. His teammates stood still, watching as he danced down the lane and to a floater that soared over Antetokounmpo’s reach.

As comfortable and collected as Gilgeous-Alexander is during the course of an NBA season, Saturday’s game displayed one glaring difference.

His lead-by-example, tunnel vision nature with occasional leaks of confidence left the building early. Instead, it was and-1s followed by him laying down to kick his feet up; pull-up jumpers without hesitation; barking at a Greek who’d disrespected a teammate after the buzzer; the obvious designation to close Saturday’s game while sharing the floor with another capable closer in Jamal Murray.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds and made 5 of his 10 shots (9 of 10 of his free throws). There wasn’t a point where he tried to forcibly push Canada to a win.

His facilitating appeared intentional, not just the product of him losing scoring advantages. It never kept him from getting his. He still did work worth smiling at.

Greece emerges as sneaky group threat

If not for Gilgeous-Alexander, Greece might’ve shaken up Group A as soon as Saturday. And for all the reasons you’d expect.

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains Herculean, the culmination of so many of the powers that compose Greek mythology. Stubborn strength, freakish length, uncommon touch and a will that nearly saw him push Greece over the hump.

Antetokounmpo finished Saturday’s game with 34 points and five rebounds, making 11 of his 17 shot attempts and 12 of his 15 free throws. He looked every bit like a top-two player in the Paris field.

But Greece’s surrounding core pushed back on any assumptions that Antetokounmpo would be alone in the effort. Alongside the two-time NBA MVP are passable pick-and-roll partners who flow as he flips screens. They make decent reads, and Greece has sets that’ll let it jam the ball into the post repeatedly.

When the double teams inevitably come, Antetokounmpo is either too mighty, or his teammates keep the ball moving and the defense in rotation until a spot-up 3 falls in their lap. Canada, without Zach Edey’s commitment, is particularly unqualified for dealing with Antetokounmpo. But, outside of France, there isn’t a team in the Paris field prepared for him, let alone in Group A.

With how unfair Antetokounmpo is physically, as well as how often he reached the free throw line, his production was a given. But how often Greece’s ball movement put Canada into rotation was what kept it around, nearly pulling off an upset.

With how close of a call Saturday’s game was, the remainder of Group A can only hope it staves off Antetokounmpo and friends just as well.

More: What is Team Canada's path to a 2024 Paris Olympics basketball gold medal?

RJ Barrett aids in scoring effort

Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t alone in Saturday’s effort.

Despite Murray seemingly shaking off some rust, Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett was active early. His drives cut into dry spells, his tip-ins were timely.

Barrett finished with a team-high 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including the dunk in the final seconds that served as an exclamation point on Canada’s close win.

With his presence around the rim, Barrett often kept Canada’s offense afloat, a necessary part of the non-SGA minutes.

2024 Paris Olympics: How to watch Team Canada basketball, roster, schedule

Tip-ins:

• Thunder guard Lu Dort, who started in place of Murray, finished with eight points, four rebounds and two assists. His fourth-quarter 3 was one of the biggest shots of the game. Dort’s impact was limited, though, after a game of foul trouble that finished with five fouls.

• Canada men’s basketball’s win Saturday marked its first Olympic win Sep. 30, 2000.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 2024 Paris Olympics: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada past Greece