An exciting and fun basketball match up takes place later today on Day 5 as Serbia and France face-off in their third match of the men’s basketball tournament in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Serbia want to make a statement win after having only a 1-1 start to these olympics in which many thought they would be 2-0. Serbia’s numbers so far good, but can be better. They are averaging 83 points on 47.2 percent shooting and is allowing 78.5 points on 42.7 percent shooting. Star player Miroslav Raduljica is averaging 21.5 points and three assists. Teammate Bogdan Bogdanović is averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Euroleague star, Miloš Teodosić is the third double-digit player who can make a difference from the field, and Nemanja Nedović has put in three assists.
Serbia could improve in it’s shooting since they are 28.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.7 percent from the free throw line. Serbia is only allowing 18 percent shooting from deep and is getting 37 rebounds per game. Serbia want to rebound from a bad defensive let down against Australia, so they will come to play a full 40 minutes after collapsing in their second match. Serbia will be missing Nemanja Bjelica who isn’t playing in the tournament.
France will be on the hunt for another big victory after dancing past China in their second match. It was a 88-60 victory, where France shot 60 percent from the field and 46 percent from beyond the arc. France did allow 38 percent shooting from the field but only 21 percent shooting from deep.
Nando de Colo has been a real leader with 19 points and one rebound, while Tony Parker got 18 points and eight assists and is working his magic. Thomas Heurtel was is third double-digit scorer on the squad, and Boris Diaw has chipped in five assists. France has been looking like the France everyone has expected to see in this tournament, since they have a lot of talent on the offensive end and is very dangerous with their outside shots, which right now are going through the hoop like a hot knife through butter.
The interesting question will be to see which France team shows up in this game. Serbia is always a contender or usurper if not taken seriously and so far has played pretty decently. But many would argue that there’s not enough depth or experience to dominate France, who found its mojo after annihilating China. France is expected to be one of the top teams in the tournament when it’s firing on cylinders. But never underestimate Serbia who might not have the firepower to pull off this victory but definitely has the grit!
The only catch is the winner of this game will take place number three in the standings and have to face up against the unbeatable US Team in the Semi-Finals if they get through the quarters deeming that everything goes as expected, so it’s a tricky game to bet on.
But Serbia should win by three points.
