By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Serbia hosted Japan in the first of two final preparation games for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Serbia won a high-tempo game despite Japan hitting 20 triples, with a final score of 119-100 at the Belgrade Arena.
Jokic flirted with a triple-double, scoring 18 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and providing seven assists for a PIR of 27.
Bogdan Bogdanovic added 15 points with eight assists (PIR 25), while Filip Petrusev scored 17 points. Ognjen Dobric followed with 14, and Vasilije Micic contributed 12 points and seven assists.
For Japan, LA Lakers forward Rui Hachimura scored 29 points, while Yuki Kawamura added 12 and Yuta Watanabe 10.
Serbia will play another game at the Belgrade Arena before traveling to France, against Greece on July 22.