In a thrilling semifinal matchup at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team triumphed over Serbia with a nail-biting 95-91 victory, securing their place in the gold medal game against France. The game featured an extraordinary comeback by the American squad, who turned the tables in the final quarter of a contest that saw them trailing by as much as 17 points at one point.
Serbia's Commanding Lead
For the majority of the match, Serbia appeared to be in control. They led for over 35 of the 40 minutes, maintaining a gritty defense and an impressive offense featuring key players like Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, who all demonstrated their prowess from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic, a standout for Serbia, played nearly the entire game, contributing significantly with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists.
The Turning Point
Entering the final quarter, the USA was down by 13 points. Despite this hefty deficit, USA's coach, Steve Kerr, made a tactical decision to lean on his veterans. "Having spent most of the Olympics playing a deep rotation, U.S. coach Steve Kerr relied heavily on his veterans with the game on the line," as noted in the post-game analysis. This strategy paid off remarkably well.
The closing lineup featured a constellation of basketball stars: Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. The Americans outscored Serbia 32-15 in a spectacular fourth-quarter performance, turning the tide in their favor.
Stephen Curry's Record Performance
Stephen Curry was instrumental in the USA's comeback. He made an astounding nine 3-pointers, the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics, contributing to his total of 36 points in the game. His sharpshooting kept the U.S. hopes alive and electrified the American fans.
LeBron James' Triple-Double
LeBron James was equally pivotal in the critical moments of the game. "James, meanwhile, was everywhere down the stretch. Playing the entire fourth quarter, he had six points, six rebounds, and four assists and finished with his second career Olympics triple-double: 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists," recounts an observer. His all-around performance underscored his experience and unyielding determination to lead his team to victory.
Serbia's Struggles in the Fourth Quarter
While the USA flourished in the final moments, Serbia struggled. The team failed to make any of their nine 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, which proved detrimental to their lead. Despite their robust performance for most of the game, Serbia couldn't withstand the onslaught from the revitalized USA lineup.
Key Coaching Decisions
Steve Kerr's coaching acumen was on full display in the semifinal. His decision to substitute Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis at a crucial moment in the fourth quarter highlighted his strategic approach. Except for this substitution, Kerr kept his lineup intact, ensuring that his veterans remained on the court to seal the victory.
However, not all coaching decisions panned out perfectly. Derrick White's stint on the court, lasting 6:46 minutes, saw the USA being outscored by 16 points. In contrast, Kevin Durant stood out with a positive plus-minus, the only U.S. player to achieve this in the semifinals, further cementing his invaluable presence on the team.
The Road Ahead
With this victory, the USA men's basketball team now turns its attention to the gold medal game against France. The confidence and resilience displayed in their dramatic comeback against Serbia set the stage for what promises to be a riveting final showdown.
The semifinal game against Serbia was a testament to the USA team's depth, experience, and ability to perform under pressure. As they prepare for the ultimate battle for gold, fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating another stellar performance from this star-studded team.