Serbia opens Fiba World Cup with 46-point rout of Angola

Serbia’s players react during the Basketball World Cup Group D game between Angola and Serbia in Foshan on August 31, 2019. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

Strongly fancied Serbia made a ruthless start to their Basketball World Cup title bid, thrashing Angola 105-59 in the opening match of the tournament in China on Saturday.

The United States are the two-time defending champions but are missing their biggest stars and some fancy that Serbia can snatch the Americans’ long-held crown.

Serbia were strong favourites against Angola in the southern Chinese city of Foshan and wasted no time stamping their mark on the 32-team World Cup.

Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, of the NBA team Sacramento Kings, led the way for the Olympic and world silver medallists, scoring 24 points.

Nikola Jokic, the lumbering Denver Nuggets All-Star who is key to Serbia’s chances, brought up 100 points with a free throw on the way to him racking up 14 points.

Serbia were comfortably ahead 50-32 at half-time and rammed home their handsome advantage in the second period against the wilting Africans.

Hosts China were to start their title bid later Saturday against Ivory Coast in the capital Beijing.

Team USA open their defence on Sunday in Shanghai against the Czech Republic.