On Thursday afternoon, Crew USA confronted Serbia for a spot within the gold medal recreation on Saturday. Nikola Jokic and the Serbians dominated the primary half and the People have been down double-didgits. Serbia’s lead ballooned to 17 factors and Crew USA was down 13 factors to begin the 4th quarter.
Nevertheless, Crew USA’s elite trio of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant weren’t taking place with out a combat. The People clawed again for a gutsy 95-91 win vs. Serbia. It was an ideal recreation for the Serbians however Crew 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 recreation. The People and the French met within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics the place Crew USA gained 87-82 and took house the gold. France can have the home-court benefit vs. the People in what must be one of the vital thrilling occasions within the 2024 Olympics.
Can Crew USA defeat France within the gold medal recreation this Saturday?
Script writers have been actual unique 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 Crew USA a scare on Thursday however the People have been in a position to pull off an unimaginable comeback. For almost three-quarters, Serbia outplayed the People. Nevertheless, some late-game heroics LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant all helped the People 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 People make a miraculous comeback. Lastly, Steph Curry’s 36 factors have 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 People will face the host nation of the 2024 Olympics. It’s additionally the second straight Olympics that Crew 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 Yr, Victor Wembanyama. His expertise degree is unmatched and it’s going to take a full crew effort to cease Wemby. He’s presently main France in factors, rebounds, and assists per recreation. Crew USA’s head coach Stever Kerr is aware of the People might want to match the depth of the French on Saturday afternoon. France can be feeding off the power of the house crowd. Can LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant lead Crew USA to a different aim medal?