Team USA: A sell-out crowd at Bercy Arena was gripped by drama and tension just hours after Team France had secured a spot in the gold medal game, when the team’s anticipated opponent, Team USA, appeared in danger of being eliminated unexpectedly.
Serbia had a tremendous performance on Thursday, August 8, making the extra pass, pressing hard to attack the rim, and appearing to make every open three-point shot.
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After being outplayed for the first three and a half quarters, Team USA was really in trouble when Nikola Jokic scored a floater with eight minutes and six seconds remaining to give his team a double-digit advantage.
Although Team USA had defeated Serbia handily in group play eleven days prior and in a friendly last month, this was different. Serbia showed no fear during their play, answering a burst of points from Stephen Curry with one of their own before taking a 15-point lead in the third quarter.
The Americans delivered with a spectacular game-ending run that included buckets from Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Curry for a stunning 95-91 win in one of the greatest Olympic games in recent memory.
It was time for drama, clutch shots, defensive stops, and faultless play.Coach Steve Kerr of the USA commented, “Serbia was brilliant today and I’m really humbled to have been a part of this game.” Easily one of the best basketball games I’ve ever attended.
Serbia was ideal. Their game was flawless. They made us strive for the toughest competition we could find. Yes, the gold medal game on Saturday will be the USA versus France.
Stephen Curry receives praise from LeBron James
With three minutes and twenty seconds remaining, Team USA sensed weakness as Serbia was weary and Jokic was getting foul trouble.
They used shots from Embiid—who was having his finest game of the tournament—and James to tie the game at 84. Following a three-pointer from Serbia, Curry put the United States the lead for good off a dazzling Embiid screen.
With 34 seconds remaining, Durant hit a midrange jumper after James and Curry added baskets to give the team a five-point advantage.Serbia missed all nine of its three-point attempts in the fourth quarter after making 15 of them in the first three quarters.
In the last quarter, Team USA made 13 of 17 of their shots, and Curry led the way with 36 points. “Dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
James stated, “It was ‘Chef’ Curry and the ‘Process’ (Embiid). “A huge victory for us. Although we were aware that the game would be the hardest to date and that we would face challenges, it took a true team effort.
.Although Team USA was aware that it would be put to the test during this competition, it appeared taken aback by Serbia’s challenge. Through three quarters, it performed brilliantly, making 15 of 30 three-pointers and using Jokic’s precision passing to exploit holes in the USA defense while scrounging for offensive rebounds and loose balls.
Team USA’s offensive options were limited to Curry threes and Embiid jump shots. The Americans were completely disconnected.We made an effort not to give up too easily, added Durant. “They hit us pretty hard late in the third quarter; we trailed by 15, 14 points, but we persisted.”
We succeeded in applying pressure, causing them to miss shots, and taking advantage of the break. Curry had difficulty throughout the most of the competition, but the world’s greatest shooter was bound to lose his way eventually.
He was unstoppable for extended periods of time due to his lightning-fast release whenever he found a little window of space, making nine of his fourteen three-point attempts.Despite my lack of opportunities and poor shooting throughout the tournament, I never let that stop me from seizing the occasion, as evidenced by my strong opening plays, Curry stated.
However, after two minutes of play tonight, I became aware that I was drawing attention.
They’re defending us with an alternative strategy. The last game, I took three shots, but I didn’t try to force it because that wasn’t how the game was meant to be played. That, then, is the allure of Team USA, FIBA, and this entire event.
Serbia demonstrates they are a team.
As the overwhelming favorites going into the competition, Team USA watched as France eliminated their main rivals, Germany and Canada .The historic gold medal match between the United States and the host nation, France, was very nearly marred by Serbia.
It can only review specific plays, like Ognjen Dobric’s missed three-point shot that would have given Serbia a late five-point lead.A few simple mistakes, some calls, and transition buckets. Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic declared, “That’s it.”
I continue to think we could have won this match. It is difficult to express anything after a defeat. That’s what happens when you lose in the end. The scoreboard is our game.
Even if you play the greatest game of your life, you are still a loser. But we don’t seem like losers to me. We proved we could play with the world’s top teams, and all I want is to win. We lost despite some excellent work. We have to recuperate and compete for the bronze in two days.
We lost despite some excellent work. We have to recuperate and compete for the bronze in two days.James, who has won two gold medals and four NBA titles, was asked to place himself in the pantheon of champions on Thursday.
I’m not sure how often I’ll have the chance to compete for something, play in big games, and compete for something significant—this was a big game, after all.