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The USA men's basketball team beat Serbia 95-91 in the 2024 Paris Olympics to advance to the gold medal game against France. This was the third time the U.S. had faced Serbia in the past month, with the U.S. winning the previous two encounters. Serbia led for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute game, but the U.S. came back in the fourth quarter to take the lead for good. Stephen Curry led the U.S. with 36 points, while Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic led Serbia with 17 and 20 points, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 8 August 2024 |
| Competition | 2024 Olympic Games, Paris |
| Stage | Semifinal |
| Final score | 95-91 |
| USA score by quarter | Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, 32 |
| Serbia score by quarter | Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, 15 |
| USA top scorer | Steph Curry, 36 points |
| Serbia top scorer | Bogdan Bogdanovic, 20 points |
| USA rebounds | Joel Embiid, 4 |
| Serbia rebounds | Nikola Jokic, 11 |
| USA assists | LeBron James, 10 |
| Serbia assists | Nikola Jokic, 11 |
| USA previous results | 105-79 win, 110-84 win |
| Serbia previous results | 79-105 loss, 84-110 loss |
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What You'll Learn
Steph Curry's performance
The USA men's basketball team defeated Serbia in the Olympic semifinals in Paris in 2024. The USA came from behind to beat Serbia 95-91, with a dominant performance from Steph Curry who scored 36 points, including nine 3-pointers, and seven points in the final five minutes. Curry's performance was described as "God-like" by teammate Kevin Durant, who also praised Curry's "giant game".
Curry's performance against Serbia was characterised by his leadership, assertiveness, and clutch scoring ability. Curry was the USA's top scorer, with 17 more points than any other American player and 16 more than any Serbian player. Curry's scoring was crucial in keeping the USA in the game during the first quarter, and he hit several key shots in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Curry's performance was especially notable given his relatively quiet offensive output during the team's previous exhibitions. In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, Curry had been finding it difficult to get better scoring opportunities. However, his performance against Serbia demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when his team needed him the most.
Curry's clutch gene was on full display in the final quarter, as he hit several difficult shots to give the USA the lead. His performance drew praise from his teammates and coaches, with head coach Steve Kerr describing it as one of the greatest basketball games he had ever been a part of. Curry's performance against Serbia showcased his competitive spirit, resilience, and exceptional talent, solidifying his legacy as one of the all-time greats in basketball.
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Nikola Jokic's performance
The USA men's basketball team beat Serbia 95-91 in a close game to advance to the gold medal match in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, put up a strong fight and led for most of the game.
Jokic's performance was pivotal to Serbia's success in the game. As the leader of his team, Jokic's influence was evident throughout the match, with Serbia relying heavily on his skills and experience. He was instrumental in Serbia's early lead and maintained a strong presence throughout the game.
Jokic's ability to control the pace and flow of the game was remarkable. He effectively dictated the tempo, utilizing his court vision and passing skills to create opportunities for his teammates. His decision-making was exceptional, as he consistently made the right choices, whether it was passing, shooting, or driving to the basket.
The Serbian team's strategy revolved around Jokic, and they looked to him for leadership and stability. He was a constant threat to the USA's defense, keeping them on their toes with his versatile skillset. Jokic's performance was a key factor in Serbia's ability to maintain their lead for the majority of the game.
Jokic's performance in this game adds to his impressive resume. He has previously represented Serbia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 18.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.
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Team USA's comeback
Team USA's victory over Serbia in the 2024 Paris Olympics was a hard-fought one. The U.S. men's basketball team had to stage a comeback in the semifinal game to secure a place in the gold medal match against France. This was the third meeting between the two teams in the summer of 2024. The U.S. had comfortably won the previous two encounters, with a 105-79 scoreline in an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi and a 110-84 victory in Olympic group play. However, Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, put up a much stronger fight in the semifinal.
Serbia dominated the early stages of the game, leading for more than 33 minutes of the 40-minute contest. They opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Bogdan Bogdanovic and maintained their lead until the final quarter. At one point in the second quarter, Serbia had a 17-point advantage over the U.S. team, but the Americans remained calm and focused. Steph Curry, who led the U.S. comeback, said that there was no panic among his teammates, and they knew what they had to do to turn the game around.
Team USA's resilience and belief in their abilities paid off in the fourth quarter. They outscored Serbia 32-15 in the final period, showcasing their defensive prowess and scoring crucial points. Curry's performance was exceptional, as he scored 36 points, including nine three-pointers, both Olympic career-highs. He was well supported by LeBron James, who achieved a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Durant also contributed with key baskets, including a difficult pull-up shot in the closing minutes.
The U.S. team's ability to stay composed under pressure and their depth of talent ultimately proved decisive in their comeback victory. Curry's outstanding shooting, combined with the all-around contributions of James and Durant, ensured that Team USA overcame Serbia's strong challenge. This set the stage for a highly anticipated gold medal match against France, where they would aim to add to their impressive Olympic basketball legacy.
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Serbia's lead
Bogdan Bogdanovic's three-pointer put Serbia on top 16-15 with 5:49 remaining in the first quarter, and they maintained their lead until only 2:24 remained in the game.
Despite Serbia's impressive performance, Team USA remained calm. Steph Curry said: "We know what we need to do, and you just keep telling yourself that until the final moment. That's what basketball is."
Team USA eventually fought back to win the game 95-91, advancing to the gold medal game against France.
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Previous USA vs Serbia matches
The USA and Serbia men's basketball teams have faced each other multiple times in recent years, with a history of close and exciting matches. Here is a summary of some of their previous encounters:
On August 8, 2024, the USA and Serbia men's teams faced off in the semifinals of the Paris Olympic Games. Serbia, led by Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, put up a strong fight and led for most of the game. However, the USA mounted a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring Serbia 32-15 to secure a narrow 95-91 victory. The win was largely attributed to the outstanding performance of Stephen Curry, who scored 36 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:24 remaining. The USA team's victory set up a gold medal match against France, which the USA had previously beaten in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medal game.
Prior to the 2024 Olympic semifinal, the USA and Serbia had met twice that summer, with the USA emerging victorious in both matches. The first encounter was an exhibition game in Abu Dhabi, which the USA won 105-79. The second match was the opening game of the Olympic group play, where the USA defeated Serbia 110-84. In these earlier meetings, Serbia struggled with their 3-point shooting, but they improved significantly in the semifinal, outplaying the USA for most of the game.
Looking further back, the USA and Serbia men's basketball teams have faced off in several other notable competitions. Since 2014, they have played a total of 6 games, with the USA winning 5 of those encounters. The overall head-to-head record shows a slight edge for the USA, with a higher number of wins and a higher average points per game. However, Serbia has also had their share of victories, showcasing their strong basketball programme and talented players.
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Frequently asked questions
The USA won the game, with a final score of 95-91.
The game took place on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The game took place in Paris, France.
Some notable players from the game include Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic from Serbia, and Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant from the USA.
