Amanda Knapp
In a thrilling 95-91 victory, Team USA defeated Serbia in the 2024 Olympic semifinal basketball game. This was the third meeting between the two teams, with the US having won the previous two matchups. Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, put up a valiant effort and led for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute game. However, the US rallied back in the final quarter, outscoring Serbia 32-15 to secure their spot in the gold medal game. The win sparked discussions about whether it was the greatest basketball game ever played, with some attributing the victory to the superb performance of Stephen Curry, who scored seven of the US's last 11 points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the game | 8th August 2024 |
| Winner | Team USA |
| Final score | 95-91 |
| Leading scorer for Team USA | Stephen Curry (36 points) |
| Leading scorer for Serbia | Nikola Jokic (17 points) |
| Triple-double scorers | LeBron James (Team USA), Nikola Jokic (Serbia) |
| Previous meetings in 2024 | Two, both won by Team USA |
| Next game for Team USA | Gold medal game against France |
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What You'll Learn
The US's comeback strategy
The US men's basketball team's comeback strategy against Serbia was a thrilling display of determination and skill. After a slow start that saw them trailing by eight points at the end of the first quarter and by 11 at halftime, the Americans found themselves down by as many as 17 points in the third quarter. However, they refused to give up and began their comeback in the final period.
The US's strategy in the fourth quarter was to focus on their offensive game and outscore their opponents. Curry, in particular, stepped up, scoring seven of the US's last 11 points, including a three-pointer with 2:24 remaining that gave the US the lead for good. Durant also made a difficult pull-up after Serbia cut the lead back to two points with 56 seconds left.
Another key aspect of the US's comeback strategy was their ability to capitalise on Serbia's mistakes. Serbia's star player, Jokic, played most of the fourth quarter with foul trouble, which hurt their chances of holding onto their lead. Additionally, Serbia relied heavily on Jokic, and while their offence worked with him and around him, he was unable to carry them to victory single-handedly.
The US also benefited from strong performances by their other star players, such as LeBron James, who delivered an Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Joel Embiid, who had 19 points and a fiery second-half performance. The US's second unit of Durant, Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, and Derrick White also contributed to the comeback, opening up leads throughout the Olympics.
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Serbia's near-perfect game
Serbia played a near-perfect game against the US in the 2024 Olympic semifinal basketball match. Serbia led for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute game. The US had won the previous two matchups comfortably, but this time, Serbia came prepared. Led by guard Aleksa Avramovic's 4-of-6 3-point shooting and three 3-pointers each by Bogdan Bogdanovic and Ognjen Dobric, Serbia made five 3s in each of the first three quarters while building a double-digit lead.
Bogdanovic was on fire in the first half, sinking 3s with ease. He ended the night with 20 points. Serbia also relied more heavily on Jokic, who scored 17 points, with the entire offense working with him and around him. Serbia went up by seven points with five minutes to play, but the US fought back and outscored Serbia 18-7 in the final five minutes.
The US's comeback was led by Steph Curry, who had seven of the team's final 11 points, including two free throws with eight seconds left to seal the game. LeBron James also played a crucial role, delivering the fourth triple-double in Olympic history with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Durant made two enormous baskets, including a 3-pointer that was part of a six-point possession.
Despite the loss, Serbia played an incredible game and pushed the US to their limits. As US coach Steve Kerr said, "They played a perfect game. And they forced us to reach the highest level of competition that we could find."
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Star players' performance
Team USA's win over Serbia in the 2024 Olympic men's basketball semifinals saw some notable performances from star players on both sides.
For Team USA, Steph Curry had an impressive game, scoring 14 of the team's first 15 points, including four 3-pointers. He continued his offensive onslaught throughout the game, racking up 34 points on 63% shooting and finishing with nine 3-pointers, the second-most ever by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics. Curry's performance was described as sensational and scorching hot, and he scored seven of Team USA's last 11 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:24 remaining.
LeBron James also had a standout performance, recording his second career Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. He stepped up when his team needed him the most, and his performance was described as "perfect."
Kevin Durant, coming off the bench, also made a significant impact. He finished the game with a team-high 23 points on stellar 8-for-9 shooting. Durant's performance was crucial, especially in the fourth quarter, where he went 3-for-3.
On the Serbian side, Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP, led his team with a strong all-around performance. He logged 30 minutes, finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, and eight assists, according to one source. Another source states he had 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. Jokic's performance included drawing numerous fouls and dishing out assists, showcasing his all-around skills.
Bogdan Bogdanovic also stood out for Serbia, contributing 17 points, five rebounds, and six assists. He was praised for his 3-point shooting, making three 3-pointers and sinking them with ease. Aleksa Avramovic also contributed to Serbia's strong 3-point shooting performance, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
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The final quarter
Team USA and Serbia's basketball match in the 2024 Olympic Games was a thrilling encounter, with Serbia leading for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute game. However, the final quarter belonged to Team USA, who stormed back with a stellar performance to secure a victory and advance to the gold medal game.
Serbia, led by the exceptional shooting of Bogdan Bogdanovic, had built a substantial lead heading into the final period. They dominated for much of the game, with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and their impressive three-point shooting, outscoring the Americans by as many as 17 points at one stage.
However, the final quarter witnessed a remarkable turnaround as Team USA found their rhythm and momentum. Stephen Curry, in particular, stepped up, scoring seven of the team's last 11 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 2:24 remaining to give the US a lead they would not relinquish. Curry's performance was described as "sensational," and his nine three-pointers were the second-most ever by a US men's basketball player in the Olympics.
LeBron James also played a pivotal role in the comeback, recording his second career Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His all-around contribution kept the US within striking distance before Curry's heroics. Kevin Durant contributed as well, making crucial baskets, including a three-pointer, as part of a six-point possession.
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The road to the gold medal game
Led by guard Aleksa Avramovic, who shot 4-of-6 from the 3-point line, and with three 3-pointers apiece by Bogdan Bogdanovic and Ognjen Dobric, Serbia made five 3s in each of the first three quarters, building a double-digit lead. They also relied heavily on their star player, Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, who finished the game with 17 points and 11 assists. Serbia led for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute game, and at one point held a 17-point lead.
However, Team USA remained resilient and fought back in the final quarter. Stephen Curry, who had been pivotal at the start of the game, scoring 14 of the USA's first 15 points, once again took over in the closing minutes, scoring seven of Team USA's last 11 points. LeBron James also played a crucial role, with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the fourth quarter, finishing with a triple-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
With their outstanding performance in the final quarter, Team USA was able to outscore Serbia 32-15 and secure the victory with a final score of 95-91. This win showcased the determination and skill of Team USA and earned them a well-deserved spot in the gold medal game against France.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Team USA beat Team Serbia 95-91 in the 2024 Olympic semifinal.
The US win was led by Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. Curry scored 36 points, 17 more than any other American player and 16 more than any Serbian player.
The game has been described as one of the greatest basketball games ever played. It was a close game, with Serbia leading for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute match. Team USA only pulled ahead in the final quarter, outscoring Serbia 32-15.
