Bojan Bogdanovic scores 23 as Croatia wins second straight

Bojan Bogdanovic showed why the Nets are so high on him Saturday.  The second round pick in the 2011 Draft scored 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 2-of-7 from downtown, grabbed six boards and came away with the dunk of the game. Croatia won its second straight, 74-70, holding off a late push by Poland. Croatia is now 2-1 with a good chance of making it to the second round. Bogdanovic is averaging 16.7 points a game.

Riding Bogdanovic early, Croatia had an 18-point lead, 56-38, with 5:38 remaining in the third quarter. Poland then went on a run, getting the lead down to one, 68-67, with 1:52 remaining in the fourth. Damir Markota and Bogdanovic scored the next four points, Bogdanovic hitting a layup with 12 seconds left.

If Croatia can defeat Slovenia, who's hosting the tournament, it will advance. In an interview before the game, Bogdanovic was optimistic that Croatian fans will make the difference if they can get into the second round.  Beating Slovenia won't be easy. Boki Nachbar has been tearing it for his homeland.

• Game Report: Croatia 74, Poland 70 - FIBA Europe
• Bogdanovic: Croatia Need A Big Bang - Dimitris Kontos - FIBA Europe
• Bogdanovic drops 23, leads Croatia to victory - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game