Men's basketball: Three takeaways from Serbia vs. South Sudan

Serbia secured its second Olympic win with a 96-85 victory over South Sudan on Saturday. The Nikola Jokic-led team finished second in Group C and secured its spot in the quarterfinals. They will face Australia on Tuesday, Aug. 6. South Sudan's tenure in the tournament has ended despite some impressive play. 

Here are three takeaways from Serbia's win. 

1. Bogdan Bogdanovic's came alive

Bogdan Bogdanovic ended the contest with 30 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He showcased his NBA credentials and reminded the world that Serbia's team is about more than just Jokic. Bogdanovic hit 10-of-14 from the field, with six of those baskets coming from three-point range.

If he can continue performing at this level, Australia will struggle to contain Bogdanovic's offensive output, especially while trying to deal with Jokic's threat. Serbia's second-best player is peaking at the perfect time, which could spell trouble for other teams in the tournament. 

2. Vasilije Micic getting hot off the bench is a good sign 

Vasilije Micic performed well against a tough South Sudan team. He provided 15 points and seven assists in 22 minutes of gameplay. The Charlotte Hornets point guard was a reliable weapon off the bench and should be a threat moving forward.

Nevertheless, he will certainly face sterner perimeter defenses than what South Sudan had to offer. However, if he can continue creating for himself and others off the dribble, he will have an important role to play moving forward.

3. Nikola Jokic continues to dominate

There's no doubt that Jokic is the best player in the world. His approach to the game is always professional. He's committed to playing the game the right way. Against South Sudan, Jokic allowed his team's guards to quarterback the offense, instead using his size to counteract the length and athleticism of his opponents. Jokic's versatility will be a core factor in how far Serbia can go.

The Joker ended the contest with 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. There will be other games where his focus is on unlocking defenses. That's the beauty of having Jokic on your roster; whatever your team needs, he can give you. He's had an exceptional start to the Olympic games.