Serbia defeated Japan 119-100 in a Paris 2024 Olympics preparation game in Belgrade. Nikola Jokic led Serbia with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Rui Hachimura starred for Japan with a game-high 29 points.

Serbia arranged an offensive clinic, hit 20 three-pointers, and crushed Japan 119-100 in the Paris 2024 Olympics preparation game in Belgrade on Sunday night.

Nikola Jokic finished the game with an all-around performance of 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Filip Petrusev had 17 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic 15, and Vasilije Micic posted 12 points and 7 assists.

Also, Nikola Jovic played his first game for Serbia this summer. He has recovered from an ankle injury.

Rui Hachimura starred on the other end, dropping a game-high 29 points for Japan.

This was the last exhibition game for Japan. The Asian powerhouse previously lost two close matches to Australia (89-90) and South Korea (84-85), managed a draw against Australia (95-95), secured a win over South Korea (88-80), and suffered a heavy loss to Germany (83-104).

Serbia, on the other hand, won the first tune-up against France (79-67), but then lost against Australia (73-84) and Team USA (79-105). They will play against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece on Monday, July 22, to finish the friendly games marathon.

Japan will compete in Group B at the Olympics in Paris alongside Brazil, Germany, and France. Along with Team USA, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico, Serbia will participate in Group C.

Serbia is the World Cup runner-up going into the Olympics in Paris. But last year, the club did not have NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who is currently leading the team in scoring on the FIBA floor.

Leading Japan is Los Angeles Lakers player Rui Hachimura, who missed the FIBA World Cup the previous year but played brilliantly in the Olympics in Tokyo, averaging 22.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.