Olympic Games 2024: Patty Mills almost the hero as Boomers go down in overtime to Nikola Jokic’s Serbia
A 24-point lead and Patty Mills magic wasn’t enough as Serbia knocked out the Boomers in a 95-90 overtime thriller.
Australia’s mens side played one of their best quarters of basketball in the opening term against the heavy favourites, but they couldn’t keep pace as the game played out.
The Serbians got on the board early and looked in control, but Josh Giddey helped slow down the game and was able to faciliate scoring early.
A late scoring run in the first saw the Boomers put past 12 unanswered points against the Serbians, leaving the opening term with a 31-17 lead.
Australia crowded the paint in an attempt to stop reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, leaving their perimeter defence wide open.
Despite leaving players wide open from beyond the arc, Serbia’s poor three-point shooting came at the Boomers benefit, with the side going 2-9 in the first from deep.
WA big man Duop Reath finally saw some significant minutes in the second quarter, as he came out on the court and scored early, including a rare three from the 6’10 big man.
Camera Icon Duop Reath. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Just 1.30min into the second Serbia was forced to call a time out after a Patty Mills bucket had the Aussie’s ahead by 20 points early – getting up to as much as 24.
The Serbian’s refused to roll over and they came back into the match, helped by a technical foul from Dante Exum on Aleksa Avramovic.
A turnover from veteran Matthew Dellavedova was saved by a chase down block from Will Magnay on Serbia off the glass.
Dyson Daniels and Giddey both were disruptive on defence, intercepting passes to cause turnovers, but Australia’s fast play in transition from the first quarter became a hinderace, with the side trying to rush possesions and failing to capitalise.
Jokic threatened early and ended the first half with 11 points, while Mills proved he isn’t done putting the country on his back, accounting for 20 points in the opening half.
Entering the third quarter with a 54-42 lead, turnovers spelt disaster for Australia.
The side started playing carefree with the ball, shooting themselves in the foot with poor play and costly mistakes.
Camera IconDante Exum. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
In the blink of an eye, the Boomers lead wittled away and the side found themselves entering the fourth quarter down by two points.
Jack McVeigh crashed the glass for a putback score, but in a rare instance the Aussie’ left the paint wide open – letting Serbia score with ease.
Exum went coast-to-coast and showed flashes of their first quarter brilliance in transition, with Serbia calling a time out as they held a two point lead over the Boomers.
Serbia is playing tight defence, pushing up on the man with six minutes to play – Jack McVeigh punishes the decision with a three.
The passing for Australia improved dramatically, letting them find a wide open Giddey in the corner who drains it for a one score game.
On Serbia’s final possesion, Landale is called for his fifth foul which ended his night and bringing in Reath to deal with Jokic.
Serbia go 1/2 on their free throws, making it a two point game and giving Australia a chance to go for the win or the tie.
Camera IconThe Patty Mills shot that sent Australia into overtime. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Coming out of the time out, they put the ball in Mills’ hands who trips up but picks the ball back up and drains a midrange shot over Jokic – sending the game into overtime.
In the extra time, the Boomers put the focus on Jokic with a double team, leaving men wide open from beyond the arc which punished Australia.
McVeigh brought it back with another dagged three, and Reath went up and under the basket for the lead.
Serbia reclaimed the lead but Giddey stared down Jokic to drain a overtime three, but on the next possesion he tried to score at the rim and the Serbian big man rejected the shot.
Jokic backed up the bus and scored over the Aussie’s – giving the Boomers one last chance to tie the game up with three points the difference.
Camera IconNikola Jokic. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
On the inbound, Giddey couldn’t find a open man and they turned the ball over, giving Serbia possesion and eventually the 95-90 win.
Australia saw scoring came from transition, but when the game broke down is when Serbia shined – winning the assist battle 24 to Australia’s 14.
Mills was the hero of the match, finishing with 26 points and three rebounds, while Giddey added 25 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Jokic was dominant with 21 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists – as the side will now move on to the semifinals.
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