clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Mirza Teletovic puts on a show as Bosnia beats Iceland in FIBA action

Bosnian Basketball Federation

Mirza Teletovic continued his dominance in the FIBA Europe Qualifying Tournament Sunday, scoring 29 points on 11-of-23 shooting --4-of-12 from downtown-- and grabbing 12 rebounds as Bosnia took out Iceland, 72-62, in Tuzla, Bosnia, where the Net forward's career began as a teenager.

In two games, Teletovic is averaging 27 points and nine rebounds, shooting 52.8 percent overall and 41.2 percent from deep.

The win gives Bosnia a 2-0 margin in the qualifying tournament. European teams not in the World Cup are competing to qualify for the FIBA European championships next season. The first place team in each of seven groups automatically qualify. Bosnia still has games against Great Britain, who they beat last week, at home and Iceland, in Reykjavik.

Teletovic dominated from every spot on the court, driving the lanes, scoring on a give-and-go alley-oop and launching stepback two-pointers in the lane.  As the video showed, there was a smattering of Brooklyn gear in the crowd.

The game started slowly, then Bosnia scored 20 points in the final six-minute stretch of the opening quarter to jump to a 22-10 lead at the first buzzer, behind nine early points from Teletovic. Bosnia appeared to coast the rest of the way until, with 2:57 left in the game, Iceland got within six.  It was time for Teletovic to take over.

Teletovic  immediately replied with a three. Teammate Marko Sutalo followed with a three of his own on the next possession and the Nets forward sealed the win with another big three at 1:34 , pushing the lead back up to 72-54. Teletovic also handed out two assists and grabbed a crucial offensive rebound in that stretch.

After the game, Teletovic looked forward to next weekend's game with Great Britain, who's coached by former Nets assistant and now Bucks' lead assistant Joe Prunty.

"Even harder is the road ahead of us because Great Britain now knows our game and what they can expect. We all had great hopes and energy for a win," said Teletovic.