(FreePressBeacon.com) – In a narrowly averted disastrous outcome at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the US men’s basketball team managed to prevail with great effort over Serbia in a critical matchup.
The narrative of their victory could very well become pivotal should they secure their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the upcoming game on Saturday, The New York Post writes in a report.
The semifinal against Serbia was a showcase of resilience and skill, featuring an exceptional performance by Steph Curry, who scored a near-record 36 points.
The team overcame a substantial deficit, trailing by as much as 17 points, but rallied to a 95-91 victory, propelled by a dominant fourth quarter.
Their adversaries, led by the formidable Nikola Jokic, presented a significant challenge, more so than anticipated.
Curry emphasized the collective commitment of the team, all of whom are recognized stars in their own rights, highlighting the unity necessary for such a comeback.
“For all of us being superstars and Hall of Famers on our respective teams and what we’ve all accomplished, the buy-in is there and it’s the only way you can do it to win. To come back the way we did, I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball and that was a special one,” he remarked.
The game’s intensity peaked in the final minutes, characterized by LeBron James’s critical playmaking, which included a three-pointer that ignited a decisive 28-13 run.
This effort secured them a spot in the final against France, setting the stage for a rematch of the previous Olympic final.
Reflecting on the game’s significance, Team USA coach Steve Kerr likened it to historical moments in basketball.
“It’s one of the greatest basketball games I’ve ever been a part of. [Serbia] were perfect. They played a perfect game. Our coaches were saying Villanova-Georgetown, for all of our older readers and viewers out there,” Kerr said.
Despite Serbia’s strategic gameplay, which led to a prolific three-point shooting display in the initial quarters, Team USA’s defense tightened in the fourth quarter, preventing any three-pointers by Serbia.
The American team only led for a brief period, but it was crucial in sealing their victory.
James contributed significantly with the fourth triple-double in Olympic history, assisting in neutralizing Jokic in the closing moments, while Embiid added 19 points in a critical performance.
The victory was not only a testament to their skill and strategic execution but also to their mental fortitude, as Curry and James noted the team’s ability to rise to the occasion under intense pressure.
“They played the perfect game, and they forced us to reach the highest level of competition that we could find. And our guys were incredible in that fourth quarter, and they got it done,” Curry said.
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