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The United States men’s basketball team survived a first-half scare against Australia in the first Olympic semi-final on Thursday, turning a 15-point deficit in the second quarter into a smashing victory of 97-78. The Americans will face France, who beat Luka Doncic and Slovenia, 90-89, in the other semi-final game, for the gold medal on Friday night. Australia will face Slovenia for bronze.
Kevin Durant, who has made his name in history as America’s all-time top Olympic scorer, was spectacular again, keeping the U.S. team afloat when no one else could do anything. do. Durant finished with 23 points and was a switching and rim protection force on the defensive side, which is ultimately where the Americans won this game.
Shooting just 2 for 14-3 in the first half, Team USA increased the defensive pressure to start creating transition buckets and opening 3s en route to a 31-6 run (with a stretch of 20-0 sprinkled) at the end of the second quarter and the start of the third. The Americans shot 7 for 14 of 3 in the third and fourth quarters, with Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum warming up on cleaner looks.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Team USA had swung the game by 34 points, dropping from 15 to 19 with a score of 48-14. The United States continues to start games slowly, if not carelessly, but over time the depth of their talent advantage has proven to be too great.
“A lot of teams expect us to go to bed early,” Durant said after the game. “… We had a lot of guys with straight faces when we were 15. ‘Strong faces’, that’s what Pop said.”
Jrue Holiday’s defense continues to get the recognition it deserves. After an all-time defensive performance throughout the NBA Playoffs and particularly in the Finals, Holiday played a pivotal role in the United States team holding Australia’s Patty Mills – who passed her defenders at will to start the match but could not finish much – – at 15 points on 5 shots out of 14.
Holiday was Team USA’s second best player throughout the Olympics. His defense speaks for itself, but his aggressiveness on the offensive end, even when his shots don’t work, pushes the Americans forward. He puts pressure on you all the time, on both sides. He finished with 11 points, eight assists, eight rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot against Australia.
Australia had beaten the United States in their last two meetings, both exhibitions (2019 and 2021), but the Americans improved to 9-0 against the Australians in the actual Olympic game.
“We came here with one goal and that is to win a gold medal and now we are in a position to do that,” said USA team star Damian Lillard after his win over Australia.
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