By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Serbia and USA did not meet expectations in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, instead collided at Dongguan on Thursday for a 5th to 8th place classification game. Sasha Djordjevic’s side prevailed, 94-89.
Bogdan Bogdanovic ignited the 32-7 first-quarter run with four shots beyond the arc and eventually went for 28 points behind 7/14 threes, also dished 6 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds. Vladimir Lucic followed with 15 points and Vasilije Micic added 10.
USA recovered after the sluggish start, but never reclaimed the lead beyond the 2-0 start to the contest. Harrison Barnes posted 22 points, Kemba Walker 18 and Khris Middleton 16, Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum were out due to injury.
The Serbians will wrap up their World Cup run at Saturday at Beijing. They will face the winner of the match between Poland and Czech Republic for 5th place. Team USA will battle the losing side for 7th place earlier on Saturday.
Final classification tilts will not change the fact that USA punched a direct ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games and that Serbia will participate in the Olympic qualifiers.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL