Nikola Jokic's 29-point double-double leads Serbia past Israel / News - Basketnews.com

Nikola Jokic scored 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, and made 4 steals to finish the game with 46 PIR.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Nikola Jokic completed the perfect first half with a dominant second to lead Serbia (4-0) past Israel (2-2) 89-78 (24-18, 26-20, 15-20, 24-20).

Player of the Game EFF 41 Nikola Jokic Points 29 Accuracy 11-13 Rebounds 11 Assists 5

Nikola Jokic continued in the steps of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Joker finished the game with 29 points on near-perfect 11-for-13 shooting. He also grabbed 11 rebounds to record a double-double, while adding 5 assists and 4 steals at the same time.

Israel did not let the Serbians run away early. Although the favorites had a slight lead ever since the beginning of the match, the point difference between the teams was never too high to let the guard down.

Deni Avdija hit a buzzer-beating triple to end the third quarter and cut the deficit to just seven (58-65). However, Nikola Jokic and the squad did not let the Israeli national team think about a win. After yet another Jokic layup, the teams were separated by 18 (83-65) with just under four minutes to go, and the rest of the game was a formality.

Besides Jokic, the reigning EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic was second on the scoring list for Serbia with 19 points on 5-for- 13 shooting. On the other side of the court, Yam Madar led Israel with 20 points on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting.

Even though Serbia is currently 4-0 in EuroBasket 2022, they haven't guaranteed themselves first place in Group D. A battle against a three-and-one Poland on Thursday will decide the winner of the group.

Israel: Yam Madar 20 (4/5 2PT, 4/6 3PT), Deni Avdija 14 (2/4 2PT, 3/8 3PT, 6 REB, 5 AST), Roman Sorkin 11 (4/8 2PT).

Serbia: Nikola Jokic 29 (10/12 2PT, 1/1 3PT, 6/6 FT, 11 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL), Vasilije Micic 19 (3/7 2PT, 2/6 3PT, 7/9 FT), Ognjen jaramaz (2/7 3PT), Nikola Kalinic 10 (3/4 3PT, 7 REB).

Nikola Jokic's highlights:

Full game highlights:

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