On Thursday afternoon, Staff USA confronted Serbia for a spot within the gold medal recreation on Saturday. Nikola Jokic and the Serbians dominated the primary half and the Individuals had been down double-didgits. Serbia’s lead ballooned to 17 factors and Staff USA was down 13 factors to begin the 4th quarter.
Nevertheless, Staff USA’s elite trio of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant weren’t happening and not using a combat. The Individuals clawed again for a gutsy 95-91 win vs. Serbia. It was an ideal recreation for the Serbians however Staff USA was capable of maintain them off ultimately. Now, the Individuals will face the French of their second straight gold medal recreation. The Individuals and the French met within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics the place Staff USA received 87-82 and took residence the gold. France could have the home-court benefit vs. the Individuals in what needs to be some of the thrilling occasions within the 2024 Olympics.
Can Staff USA defeat France within the gold medal recreation this Saturday?
Script writers had been actual authentic with this one.
#USABMNT vs
France for the #Paris2024 Gold on Saturday (3:30 pm ET, NBC + Peacock). pic.twitter.com/mIZpUA8W7d
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 9, 2024
The Serbians gave Staff USA a scare on Thursday however the Individuals had been capable of pull off an unbelievable comeback. For almost three-quarters, Serbia outplayed the Individuals. Nevertheless, some late-game heroics LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant all helped the Individuals advance to the gold medal recreation vs. France. James had 16 factors, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Simply the fourth triple-double in Olympic historical past. Kevin Durant had two clutch buckets within the fourth quarter to assist the Individuals make a miraculous comeback. Lastly, Steph Curry’s 36 factors had been the second-most by any American in Olympic play. A dominant recreation from three gamers who formed the final decade of the NBA.
With the win vs. Serbia, the Individuals will face the host nation of the 2024 Olympics. It’s additionally the second straight Olympics that Staff USA and France are assembly within the gold medal recreation. The final time they met, the French didn’t have 2023-24 Rookie of the 12 months, Victor Wembanyama. His expertise degree is unmatched and it’s going to take a full crew effort to cease Wemby. He’s at the moment main France in factors, rebounds, and assists per recreation. Staff USA’s head coach Stever Kerr is aware of the Individuals might want to match the depth of the French on Saturday afternoon. France can be feeding off the vitality of the house crowd. Can LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant lead Staff USA to a different objective medal?