On Thursday afternoon, Staff USA confronted Serbia for a spot within the gold medal sport on Saturday. Nikola Jokic and the Serbians dominated the primary half and the People had been down double-didgits. Serbia’s lead ballooned to 17 factors and Staff USA was down 13 factors to start out the 4th quarter.
Nonetheless, Staff USA’s elite trio of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant weren’t taking place and not using a battle. The People clawed again for a gutsy 95-91 win vs. Serbia. It was an ideal sport for the Serbians however Staff USA was in a position to maintain them off in the long run. Now, the People will face the French of their second straight gold medal sport. The People and the French met within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics the place Staff USA gained 87-82 and took house the gold. France can have the home-court benefit vs. the People in what needs to be one of the crucial thrilling occasions within the 2024 Olympics.
Can Staff USA defeat France within the gold medal sport 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 People had been in a position to pull off an unimaginable comeback. For almost three-quarters, Serbia outplayed the People. Nonetheless, some late-game heroics LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant all helped the People advance to the gold medal sport 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 People make a miraculous comeback. Lastly, Steph Curry’s 36 factors had been the second-most by any American in Olympic play. A dominant sport from three gamers who formed the final decade of the NBA.
With the win vs. Serbia, the People 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 sport. The final time they met, the French didn’t have 2023-24 Rookie of the Yr, Victor Wembanyama. His expertise stage is unmatched and it’s going to take a full group effort to cease Wemby. He’s at present main France in factors, rebounds, and assists per sport. Staff USA’s head coach Stever Kerr is aware of the People might want to match the depth of the French on Saturday afternoon. France shall be feeding off the vitality of the house crowd. Can LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant lead Staff USA to a different purpose medal?
