Prior to the FIBA World Cup, the most anticipated matchup was between USA and Serbia.
Well, we got it. Just not how anyone expected.
Playing for fifth place, the Serbians mounted a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter on their way to a 94-89 roller coaster of a victory.
Myles Turner scored 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in 24 minutes in an average performance. He was one of four Americans to end the game with a positive +/-.
The first half was a tale of two quarters, as Serbia took a 32-7 (!!!) lead at the end of the first quarter, but USA marched back in the second quarter to cut the lead to 44-40 at the break.
In the fourth quarter, USA made a late push to cut the lead to four points with under a minute remaining, but Bogdan Bogdanovic, who looked like the best player on the floor, stifled USA’s run.
Serbia was led by Bogdanovic with 28 points and 6 assists.
USA was led by Harrison Barnes with 22 points and Kemba Walker with 18 points.
Turner’s performance was highlighted by strong defense on Nikola Jokic, who was held to just 9 points (although he seemed to be fine playing facilitator in the game). However, his pick-and-roll defense was a little down and he struggled to guard players on the perimeter, highlighted by this breakdown against the King’s Nemanja Bjelica.
USA is back in action for their final FIBA World Cup game on Saturday at 4 a.m. against the loser of Poland and the Czech Republic.
Courtesy: Indycornrows.com
