Dallas Mavericks: Boban Marjanovic and Serbia defeat Team USA

Dallas Mavericks center Boban Marjanovic and Serbia defeated Team USA on Sept 12. Here is a closer look at that World Cup classification game.

Dallas Mavericks center Boban Marjanovic and his native Serbia got the matchup they wanted against Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The two nations were the favorites coming into the tournament, and many pundits predicted they would meet in the gold medal game. That did not happen.

Both teams fell in the quarterfinals and were eliminated from medal contention. They battled on Thursday in a consolation game. The winner would play for fifth place with the losing competing for seventh. Let us take a closer look at the game.

Serbia edges Team USA

Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic got off to a blistering start. He hit four 3-pointers in the first four and half minutes of action. Serbia held an early 17-5 lead at the midway point of the first quarter. Team USA just could not find their shot, and Serbia stretched its advantage to 32-7 at the end of the opening stanza.

The Americans stormed back in the second quarter using a balanced attack. They outscored Serbia 33-12 in the period and only trailed by four at the half.

It was a back and forth game during the second half, but Serbia held on for the 94-89 victory. They sent Team USA to their worst finish ever at a World Cup.

Boban Marjanovic entered about five and a half minutes into the first quarter. He played the rest of the period where he grabbed two rebounds and missed his only field goal attempt. Bobi stayed in for the first minute and a half of the second but did not produce any stats.

The 7’3 big man got into the action more in the second half. He played 11 minutes and had eight points, one rebound, and one assist. Marjanovic was three of five from the field and made both of his second half free throws.

Up next

Serbia closes out their 2019 FIBA World Cup on Sept. 14. They will play for fifth place against the Czech Republic at 7:00 a.m. CT. Mavericks fans can watch the contest on ESPN+.

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