The second quarterfinal of the men's basketball tournament between Australia and Serbia proved to be a thrilling and dramatic contest. Both teams, boasting NBA talent on their rosters, battled it out in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
From the tip-off, Australia came out strong, led by the impressive performance of Patty Mills from the Miami Heat. Mills' 20 points in the first half propelled Australia to a significant lead, dominating the court and frustrating the Serbian team, including star player Nikola Jokic.
However, Serbia mounted a comeback towards the end of the first half and carried that momentum into the third quarter. A remarkable run saw them erase the deficit and take the lead, igniting the crowd at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
The game remained intense in the fourth quarter, with both teams trading baskets in a closely contested battle. Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic led the charge for Serbia, while Josh Giddey stepped up for Australia, finishing with an impressive 25 points.
As the game neared its conclusion, Mills delivered a clutch shot with 1.4 seconds left on the clock, sending the game into overtime. The extra period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams refusing to back down.
In the end, it was Jokic who sealed the victory for Serbia with a signature fallaway jumper, followed by crucial free throws from Bogdanovic. The Serbs emerged victorious with a final score of 95-90, setting up a showdown with the winner of the USA-Brazil matchup later in the tournament.
The game between Australia and Serbia showcased the competitive spirit and skill level of both teams, providing fans with a memorable and exciting basketball spectacle.
