Need To Know
Two Finals are set, with just one set of semifinals left in the Olympic Qualifiers. After Croatia and Italy notched wins in Turin and Serbia and Puerto Rico did the same in Belgrade, both sites will crown a champion on Saturday.
In Manila, four teams will battle Saturday for a place in Sunday’s final.
Results
Turin, Italy
Croatia took down Greece, 66-61 on the strength of 20 points from the Nets’ Bojan Bogdanovic and a 16-point, 8-rebound night from Sixers rising rookie Dario Saric, while Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo struggled, going just 3-for-14 from the field.
Meanwhile, Marco Belinelli and Danilo Gallinari combined for 25 to lead host Italy’s rout of Mexico in the other semifinal.
Belgrade, Serbia
The hosts got 21 points and 8 rebounds from Suns Draft pick Bogdan Bogdanovic to cruise past the Czech Republic, 96-72. Brand-new Wizard Tomas Satoránský went for 14-7-7 in the loss.
Puerto Rico continued its run with a 77-70 win over Latvia, thanks to 14 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds from former NBA guard Carlos Arroyo.
Schedule
Turin, Italy
Italy vs. Croatia (9 July, 10:30 AM ET)
- NBA players to watch: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Kostas Koufos (Greece), Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia), Dario Saric (Croatia), Mario Hezonja (Croatia)
Belgrade, Serbia
Latvia vs. Serbia (8 July, 12:00 PM ET)
- NBA players to watch: JJ Barea (Puerto Rico)
Serbia vs. Czech Republic (8 July, 3:00 PM ET)
- NBA players to watch: Nikola Jokic (Serbia)
Manila, Philippines
Canada vs. New Zealand (9 July, 6:30 AM ET)
- NBA players to watch: Tristan Thompson (Canada), Cory Joseph (Canada), Tyler Ennis (Canada), Joel Anthony (Canada)
France vs. Turkey (9 July, 9:00 AM ET)
- NBA players to watch: Nicolas Batum (France), Boris Diaw (France), Tony Parker (France), Joffrey Lauvergne (France), Omer Asik (Turkey)
