Dallas Mavericks Nicolo Melli (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks were hoping to see four players punch their tickets to the Olympic Games through the four qualifying tournaments around the world. Luka Doncic lifted Slovenia to Tokyo on Sunday afternoon. Dwight Powell and Canada lost in the semifinals to end their Olympic hopes. Boban Marjanovic and Serbia faced Nicolo Melli and Italy with a spot in the Olympics on the line on July 4.
Serbia was the significant favorite coming into the game, but the Italians had other ideas.