Japan vs Serbia: Preview and Prediction (July 21) | Basketball Showcase Game

Japan takes on Serbia on Sunday as it continues to prepare for the Paris Olympics, which will start in about a week. The “Akatsuki Five,” which is coming off a 104-83 loss to Germany two nights ago, hope to bounce back against the Nikola Jokic-bannered team. LA Lakers forward Rui Hachimura will lead Tom Hovasse’s squad in the showdown.

Meanwhile, the Serbs look to do much better in their exhibition games. Jokic led his compatriots to an impressive 79-67 win against France but lost two straight friendly games. They bowed to Australia 84-73 before experiencing a beatdown at the hands of Team USA 105-79.

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Japan vs. Serbia: Preview

Rui Hachimura’s first game in his team’s tune-up matches didn’t matter against the Germans. The LA Lakers star had a good game but his teammates were overwhelmed by Germany’s size, length and execution on both ends of the floor. The Asian team will face more of those when they take on the Serbs.

Tom Hovasse has to be worried about his team’s turnover-prone ways. The Germans played well but shot themselves in the foot with a handful of unforced errors. It is an area that they will have to significantly improve or the Serbs will run all over them.

Japan also has to play better defense without fouling. They were solid on defense but bailed out the Germans with unnecessary fouls. Serbia will punish them if they can’t be disciplined on that end.

The Serbians look gassed in the loss to the Australians. Nikola Jokic and Co. were coming off a win in France before they flew to Abu Dhabi for the showdown with the Boomers. Svetislav Pesic also held out veteran NBA guard Bogdan Bogdanovic versus the Aussies.

The Balkan team didn’t have any time to rest as they faced the Americans less than 24 hours after losing to the Boomers. Team USA dominated partly because the Serbs didn’t have their legs, particularly in the second half.

Jokic and his teammates, however, have had a few days of rest which will be bad news for the “Akatsuki Five” leading into Sunday’s game.

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Japan vs. Serbia: Prediction

The rest should do the Serbs plenty of good after back-to-back losses to Australia and Team USA, respectively. Svetislav Pesic has the stronger roster featuring a handful of NBA talents led by Nikola Jokic.

An upset is not impossible but it is highly unlikely for Japan to walk away with a win.