PARIS, France – The United States kept the dream alive with a stirring fourth-quarter rally to tame feisty Serbia, 95-91, on Thursday, August 8 (Friday, August 9, Manila time) and move into the Paris Olympics men’s basketball gold-medal final against France.
Trailing by double digits for much of the game and down 76-63 heading into the fourth quarter, the United States’ chances of a fifth consecutive gold were quickly dimming.
Then NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry took charge, bringing a wide-eyed capacity crowd at the Bercy Arena to their feet with a furious fightback.
A rematch of the 2016 Rio Olympics gold-medal game featured an intriguing matchup of NBA Most Valuable Players with James, a four-time MVP, against Serbia’s reigning three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
But it was two-time MVP Curry who came out with the hot hand, scoring 14 of the first 15 US points in the opening four minutes.
Curry finished with a game-high 36 points that included nine three pointers and two clutch free throws with eight seconds to play to clinch victory.
“To come back the way we did… I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball and that was special,” said Curry.
The US win delivered the finale basketball fans wanted to see, and is sure to be one of the Paris Olympics highlights as the American Dream Team takes on an inspired France on Saturday, August 10, in what will be a hostile Bercy cauldron.
Bolstered by an electric home crowd, a turbo-charged France won a 73-69 thriller over Germany in their own semifinal duel.
France was led by a 17-point effort from Guerschon Yabusele while Isaia Cordinier chipped in 16, none more important than two free throws with seven seconds to play to blunt a Germany comeback and seal victory.
After grinding away at the Serbia lead, James drove to the hoop, tying the contest at 84-84. Curry finally put the US ahead with a three-pointer seconds later, 87-86.
The quick-fire burst continued with James driving to the bucket again, followed by a Curry steal and another basket to leave a reeling Serbia down, 91-86, and on the ropes.
“My teammates believe in me and I was able to come through for them,” said James, who finished with a triple-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
“I told them that it’s good to be tested. It’s great to be tested,” he added.
“I’m 39 years old, going into my 22nd season. I don’t know how many opportunities and moments I’m going get like this to be able to compete for…something big and playing big games, and tonight was a big game.”
Joel Embiid buried 19 points on an 8-of-11 clip for the Americans, who trailed by as many as 17 points, 42-25, in the second quarter.
Bogdan Bogdanovic paced Serbia with 20 markers and Jokic scored 17 and dished out 11 assists. – Rappler.com