“We played them already so we were familiar with the faces and familiar with their game”, USA guard Paul George said.
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At the Rio Olympics, the United States men’s basketball team accomplished that goal.
America were struggling for fluidity but as the first quarter came to a close Durant landed their first three-pointer, giving them a 19-15 lead that they quickly built on.
A disputed call gave Sergio Rodriguez the chance to score two from the free-throw line with five seconds remaining, as Spain trailed by a point. Perennial all-star Kevin Durant led the way with 30 points and a series of highlight-reel three pointers and dunks.
Even with four-time Olympians Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings having likely just played their last game for the USA, the future remains incredibly bright for the team that’s won six consecutive Olympic gold medals and dominated the sport for two decades.
Durant and Anthony hugged late in the fourth quarter with the result long decided.
Mike Krzyzewski, on the verge of coaching the United States to a third consecutive Olympic men’s basketball crown, steps down Sunday having guided NBA players to glory from their darkest hour. He outscored Serbia by himself in the quarter, 18-14.
Since Colangelo took over Team USA in 2005, the Americans have won seven FIBA titles, including gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Anthony, who is hanging up his sneakers after 12 years with the national team, is the only player to have been coached by Krzyzewski in three Olympics. And I’m here today, three gold medals later.
Kevin Durant was the leading scorer for the USA with 30 points, while Nemanja Nedovic led Serbia with 14 points.
RIO DE JANEIRO – Pau Gasol scored 31 points in perhaps his Olympic farewell and Spain added a bronze to its collection on Sunday with a victory over Australia.
The U.S. looked like they were on their way to a blowout victory after a sensational second quarter, and they kept up the stellar play in third. All 12 USA players scored in the game. With his seventh rebound in the game, he surpassed David Robinson with 125 boards in his Olympic career. When you have players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Stephen Curry; I am pretty sure they can get someone to fill his shoes.
Serbia finishes with a silver medal, its second in the nation’s history and the first since 1996.
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2016 marks the end of the line for Anthony and Coach K, but not the end of USA Basketball.
