On the eve of the Olympics Patty Mills has found form, and inspired the Boomers to an impressive pre-Games victory over Serbia.
The veteran, who will be 36 the day after the gold medal final in Paris, will head for his fifth Games lifted by a 28-point haul that helped Australia to an 84-73 point win over NBA superstar Nikola Jokic’s team.
Dante Exum added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists coming off the bench and Josh Giddey finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.
For Serbia Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, totalled 14 points and 14 rebounds and Filip Petrusev 17 points.
Patty Mills passes the ball while driving to the basket defended by Nikola Jokic. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)
Brian Goorjian began with the same starting five as in Monday’s encouraging 98-92 loss to the United States: Mills, Giddey, Daniels, Jock Landale and Nick Kay.
Against the US Mills landed just two of eight attempts in 22 minutes, but 24 hours later he found his range hitting seven of 13 in 28 minutes including four three-pointers.
With Mills starting hot Australia pulled out to a 20-15 lead by the end of the first quarter only for Serbia to come back and edge the half 40-39.
With six minutes remaining Serbia led, 67-66, but the Boomers finished strongly, Mills contributing to three-pointers from Daniels and Kay that gave them breathing space.
Australia will open their Olympic programme against Spain on July 27. Greece and Canada are also in their group. The group matches are being played in Lille, in northern France, with the closing stages in Paris
Newshttps://https://ift.tt/rNhgcze and Boom: Patty thrills with 28-point haul as Aussie build Olympic momentum by taking down Jokic’s Serbia
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