Australia will try to secure passage into the second round of the basketball world championships when they take on European powerhouse Serbia in Kayseri, Turkey on Wednesday (2330 AEST).

The Australians have won two of their opening three matches, including an impressive last-start win over Germany, and will take plenty of confidence into the Group A contest.

Point guard Patty Mills has grown into his playmaking role superbly and Joe Ingles and Brad Newley have also found their rhythm after slow starts to the tournament.

Big men David Andersen, Matt Nielsen and Aleks Maric have also been key to the Boomers' promising start and will need to perform well against the tall Serbian line-up to grab a second straight win.

The Serbians will welcome back centre Nenad Krstic from a three-game ban for fighting in a pre-tournament match against Greece and the NBA big man will prove a stern test to Australia's interior defenders.

"The Serbia game is just as important as the Germany game and I don't expect anything but a hard-nosed fight and we'll see how it goes," Nielsen said.

"It's going to be a tough battle. I respect their whole team and their coach.

"Their style is very similar to Germany and ours, young aggressive style. I think Krstic is going to be fresh unlike most people in this competition which isn't great for us.

"But we're going to go into it the same way and give it our all."

If Australia can find a way past the talented Europeans, a win against lowly Angola in their final group game would likely give them a top-two spot in their group and a favourable cross-over match in the first knock-out stage.

The Australians benefited from a day off on Tuesday and are refreshed for the challenge ahead.

"It was good for everyone," coach Brett Brown said.

"It's such a grind that doesn't let up and there's been a little time for some rest and recovery and stretching, hydration.

"There's a premium based on refreshing the wear and tear on these bodies."