Serbia trailed by 23 at halftime and the US did not allow the Serbs to get back in the game, as Team USA played its best game on both ends of the floor, showing the most effort and intensity for four quarters of any game in the tournament. Perennial all-star Kevin Durant led the way with 30 points and a series of highlight-reel three pointers and dunks.
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Two 3-pointers before a steal and dunk pushed the US lead into double digits, and when he capped what may been the Americans’ best possessions in Rio, when they whipped the ball from side to side around the perimeter until it ended up in the hands of Durant, and then in the net.
Durant soon took centre stage, putting up an eight-point individual run as the United States stormed into a healthy lead.
Kyrie Irving also joined some elite company after the win, as he is now one of four players to win an Olympic gold medal and National Basketball Association championship in the same season.
“I’m all for raising the bar for global basketball”, Colangelo said.
After returning from Rio following Team USA’s victory against Serbia Sunday to win gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Krzyzewski said that he is ready to give up his post to San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
It was a smoother game for Team USA than their previous matchup against Team Serbia during the group stage.
By the final horn, the United States had won the game, 96-66, capturing their third straight gold medal, their 25th straight Olympic victory, and their 53rd consecutive win in Olympic, FIBA World Cup, or FIBA Americas action.
Carmelo Anthony, who was on that 2004 team and the three squads since, became the first male basketball player to win three gold medals at the Olympics.
Kevin Durant has topped the 150-pt mark at the Olympics for the 2nd time. “The more interest in basketball on all levels, I’m for”. Anthony stated after the game these Olympic games would be his last. He’ll also retire as the all-time leading scorer in men’s U.S. Olympic play with 336 points, as well as the program’s all-time leading rebounder.
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Two other Americans scored in double figures with DeMarcus Cousins notching 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Klay Thompson adding 12 of his own.
