Kevin Durant leads the United States team over France; fourth consecutive gold medal for the Americans



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The US men’s basketball team won their fourth straight gold on Saturday after narrowly beating France 87-82, extending the Americans’ second longest Olympic sequence since 1968.

Kevin Durant led the court scoring 29 points, Tayson Tatum adding 19 and Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday each scoring 11. Durant now joins Carmelo Anthony as the only three-time men’s basketball gold medalist in history. Olympic.

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“Competing in the Olympics has been a dream,” said head coach Gregg Popovich.

France, who lost their three gold medal games to the United States, started the first quarter with a quick lead, but the Americans’ strong defensive play slowly eroded and the French did not have never regained the advantage.

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Unstable start

Shaken early by COVID’s absences, the United States team started in Tokyo on shaky ground, losing their two exhibition games followed by a loss to France in the Olympic opener. After making their way through the group stage, the Americans picked up steam – with Durant, 32, leading the way.

American Kevin Durant (7) walks around Rudy Gobert (27) of France in the men's basketball gold medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan .  (Associated press)

American Kevin Durant (7) walks around Rudy Gobert (27) of France in the men’s basketball gold medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan . (Associated press)

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Saturday’s victory marked the U.S. team’s longest winning streak in men’s basketball in decades. They have already won gold in each of the program’s first seven tournaments from 1936 to 1968.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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