ALMOST. I am quite sad they lost the game but still, they could have won without the referees calling bogus fouls on Miroslav Raduljica or Nikola Kalinić or the infamous non-calls on DeMarcus Cousins, one of those the non-foul call when Nikola Jokić made the three pointer to narrow the gap late in the 4th Qtr.
Kalinić and Raduljica ended up with 5 fouls each and Sale Nacionale Aleksandar Đorđević has to play Milan Mačvan and Vladimir Štimac some time. But Miloš Teodosic(18 points and 6 assists), Stefan Marković(12 points, 4 assists), Miroslav Raduljica(18 points before fouling out) and Nikola Jokić(25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists) gave out their hearts along with the supporting cast to make a unbelievable comeback against the lazy American defense and were almost stunned when the Serbs went for every loose ball they can get. Sadly, the referees came to the aid of the Americans who would have lost, especially if the foul on Cousins on Jokić's made 3 pointer was rightfully called.
Shame on the Olympic referees, it's clear Srbija was meant to win but still, the Americans got the benefit of the referees.
China vs US: 62-119
Venezuela vs US: 69-113
Serbia vs US: 91-94
The Americans were lucky Bogdan Bogdanović's late 3 rattled out but it's clear, the Americans will lose to Serbia if the playing field is equal and the Americans are lazy to go for the loose ball or even defend. We saw how Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins were called for unsportsmanlike fouls and funny thing, Deandre Jordan flopped late in the 2nd Qtr when he was defending Miroslav Raduljica's post up on him, reminiscent of Omer Asik's infamous flop back in 2010 against Serbia.
Now, Serbia needs to win against China to get through the Quarter finals or else, we need to wait for FIBA 2019....
Živeli Srbija!
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