Rio Olympics: Jokic helps Serbia past Croatia, into semis
By Drew Albee
The Denver Nuggets’ Serbian sensation, Nikola Jokic, did not start against Croatia, but logged over 24 minutes and hit four crucial free-throws in crunch time — helping his country advance.
Jokic subbed in about halfway through the opening frame on Wednesday and picked up a defensive board on his first defensive possession. Jokic was 2/3 from the field — including 1/1 from the three-point line — during the opening frame, helping Serbia out to a four-point edge before Croatia’s Bojan Bogdanovic (of the Brooklyn Nets) sank a deep three at the buzzer.
The second quarter did not see a whole lot of action on the stat sheet from Jokic, but he was heavily utilized as the screen man on offense. Jokic’s basketball-I.Q. is very high and he always seems to make the correct play in pick-and-roll situations. Jokic missed both a layup and an open three-point attempt during the quarter, but Croatia did not take advantage. The Croatian side could only build up a one-point lead before Jokic took a seat. As Jokic rested for the remainder of the half, Croatia tacked onto their lead and went into halftime up 38-32.
After Serbia re-took the lead on a savage, thunderous posterization of Dario Saric by Miroslav Raduljica, the third quarter saw “Big Honey” demonstrate his sweet dime-dropping prowess. He used his first possession of the quarter to snag a defensive board and fire an outlet pass up the sideline to his teammate at halfcourt, Bogdan Bogdanovic, who finished the break with a layup. Jokic added a couple more assists and a steal before the end of the frame, as Serbia pulled ahead, 66-52.
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The final frame saw Croatia climb back into the game as Jokic struggled from the floor — going 1/3 (33.3%). “Joker” was crucial for Serbia down the stretch, though. Jokic sank four straight free-throw attempts late in the final-minute of a single-possession game. That’s called clutch, folks. Jokic picked up six points, a rebound and a steal during the final frame.
The homies over at BSN Denver tweeted about it:
Jokic goes 4-4 from the line down the stretch and ices the game for Serbia. They’re through to the semi’s and will face Australia on Friday,
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) August 18, 2016
On the evening, Jokic went for 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals as Serbia survived and advances. The Serbian national team faces the “Boomers” of Australia on Friday in a semifinal matchup.
The meeting between Serbia and Austalia is a rematch of the teams’ second game in Rio. Australia won the first meeting 95-80, but there will much more at stake this time around. Jokic struggled against the Aussies’ hulking frontcourt of Andrew Bogut and Aron Baynes, notching just seven points and three rebounds last time out. For Serbia to advance, those numbers have to improve.
Related Story: Rio Olympics: Nuggets’ Lauvergne, France eliminated by Spain
With the victory against Croatia, Serbia has guaranteed their highest finish at the Olympics since taking silver home from the 1996 Atlanta games (as Yugoslavia). If Serbia were to defeat Australia on Friday, it would move on to face the winner of the U.S.A.-Spain semifinal in the gold medal game.
Let’s hope Jokic can help Serbia advance even further! Stay tuned to Nugg Love to not only find out how far Jokic and Serbia can advance, but for all of your news and notes about the Denver Nuggets.