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Scoreline: United States 110 – 84 Serbia
Team USA kicked off their Paris 2024 Olympics basketball campaign with a commanding performance, defeating Serbia 110-84 in their opening match. The game, held in Lille, set the tone for the American men’s team as they seek to secure their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in basketball.
Key Highlights:
- Kevin Durant: Durant was the standout performer of the match, scoring a game-high 23 points. Impressively, he accumulated 21 of these points in the first half alone, showcasing his scoring prowess and leadership. Durant’s contributions were pivotal in establishing an early lead and maintaining control throughout the game.
- LeBron James: Adding to the American offensive power, LeBron James finished with 21 points. His all-around performance, including crucial assists and rebounds, helped to ensure that Team USA remained dominant throughout the contest.
- Team USA’s Defense: Alongside their offensive brilliance, Team USA’s defense was solid, effectively limiting Serbia’s scoring opportunities and disrupting their offensive flow. The American team’s defensive efforts were instrumental in securing their comfortable victory.
- Serbia’s Standout Players: Despite the loss, Serbia had notable performances from their key players, who managed to make significant contributions. However, they struggled to keep pace with the high-scoring and defensively resilient American squad.
Live Reaction:
- First Half: Team USA made an explosive start to the game, with Kevin Durant leading the charge. His scoring spree in the first half helped the American team establish a significant lead. LeBron James also played a crucial role, demonstrating his versatility and experience.
- Second Half: Although Serbia made adjustments and tried to mount a comeback, Team USA’s depth and skill proved too much to overcome. The American squad maintained their high level of play, with strong contributions from the bench and continued excellence from their star players.
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Team USA’s dominant victory over Serbia marks a strong start to their quest for another Olympic gold. With standout performances from Kevin Durant and LeBron James, the American team has set a high bar for their campaign. As the tournament progresses, the team will look to build on this performance and continue their pursuit of basketball excellence at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Group C outlook
Standings
- United States: 1-0 record, 2 points, +26 points difference
- South Sudan: 1-0 record, 2 points, +11 points difference
- Puerto Rico: 0-1 record, 1 point, -11 points difference
- Serbia: 0-1 record, 1 point, -26 points difference
Remaining games
Wednesday:
- Puerto Rico vs Serbia at 5:15pm Paris time, 11:15am ET
- United States vs South Sudan at 9pm Paris time, 3pm ET
Saturday:
- Puerto Rico vs United States at 5:15pm Paris time, 11:15am ET
- Serbia vs South Sudan at 9pm Paris time, 3pm ET
Team stats: U.S. shot the lights out
United States 110-84 Serbia
- Field goals: 43/69 – 31/74
- Field goal percentage: 62% – 42%
- Three pointers: 18/32 – 9/37
- Three point percentage: 56% – 24%
- Free throws: 6/10 – 13/17
- Rebounds: 41 – 32
- Assists: 24 – 18
- Steals: 9 – 12
- Blocks: 4 – 0
- Turnovers: 17 – 13
- Bench points: 47 – 23