Olympic Men’s Basketball Report: Curry Scores and Assists, LeBron++, USA Reverses Serbia to Advance to Finals

Game Report

In the first quarter, Curry hit consecutive three-pointers, scoring 14 points in just 3 minutes. Jokic and Jokic led Serbia’s recovery with a combination of shooting and driving. With Bogdan hitting a three-pointer, in the first 5 minutes, the US trailed Serbia 15-18. Avdijaj and James exchanged three-pointers, Jokic attacked the basket creating fouls, Curry hit another three-pointer, and by the end of the first quarter, the US was behind Serbia 23-31.

In the second quarter, Guduric and Micic each hit three-pointers, giving Serbia a double-digit lead. Following a timeout and substitutions by the US, they failed to score from the field for the first 4 minutes of the quarter, trailing Serbia 25-41. Embiid scored from mid-range, James made a difficult layup and hit a three-pointer, reducing the gap to 10 points. Petrovic and Bogdan hit more three-pointers, Embiid dunked, Curry also hit a three-pointer, and at halftime, the US trailed Serbia 43-54.

In the third quarter, Embiid hit a three-pointer, James drew a foul and made one free throw, as the US increased their defensive pressure. Bogdan hit an ultra-long three-pointer, Jokic scored on a floater, Serbia’s zone defense caused another scoring drought for the US, and in the first 5 minutes of the quarter, the US trailed Serbia 53-62. Dobric hit an open three-pointer, Curry responded with a three-pointer, Serbia’s pressure defense failed, Holiday hit a three-pointer, Micic scored 5 points, Guduric completed a four-point play, and at the end of the third quarter, the US trailed Serbia 63-76.

In the fourth quarter, James scored on a difficult fadeaway, Curry hit a runner, reducing the gap to single digits. Jokic scored inside, Durant and Curry each hit three-pointers, and the US trailed Serbia 73-78. Durant scored again from mid-range, Milutinovic and Embiid traded two-pointers, Jokic scored inside, and in the first 5 minutes of the quarter, the US trailed Serbia 77-84. Embiid completed a three-point play, followed by another mid-range shot, James scored inside, tying the game. Petrovic scored on a cut, Curry hit a three-pointer to take the lead, with Durant making a key two-point shot, the US completed a 17-point comeback, defeating Serbia 95-91 to advance to the finals.

Player Stats

USA: Curry 36 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Embiid 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; James 16 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal; Durant 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist; Booker 6 points, 1 assist; Davis 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Holiday 3 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists; Edwards 2 points, 2 rebounds; White 1 steal; Adebayo 1 assist, 1 steal; Serbia: Bogdanovic 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Jokic 17 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal; Avdijaj 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Guduric 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Dobric 9 points, 1 rebound; Petrovic 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; Micic 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Milutinovic 4 points, 5 rebounds; Marinkovic 1 rebound; Jovic 1 rebound, 1 assist;

Player Roster

Serbia: Petrovic, Bogdan, Dobric, Jokic, Avdijaj USA: Curry, Booker, Holiday, James, Embiid