The US will meet Spain in the final match in the women’s basketball tournament after beating France. Then again, they’ve had Sue Bird running the show for over a decade. They’re so close to playing for the gold, and to lose now would be the biggest of disappointments.
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Spain will leave another Olympics without a gold medal in men’s basketball, and the improving U.S.is in great shape to win gold again.
The American women said they are taking Spain seriously even though they defeated them by a resounding 103-63 in their second game here.
“We played this team plenty of times in worldwide competition so it will be who wants it more, to be honest, ” Durant said.
Two wins from the gold medal most everyone assumed was a lock going into the games, there is still work to be done. During the Olympics, her 3.9 turnovers per game are fourth among all players. Kevin Durant led the way with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists and one steal.
In the third quarter the USA buckled down on defense, allowing only eight points in the period.
Only the US men and India’s male hockey players can claim such a run of domination in an Olympic team sport.
“I know for us, it’s one game or nothing”. He said he never seriously considered missing these Olympics because he wants to be here for his team.
United States forward Angel McCoughtry scored seven points in a 13-5 second-quarter run to put the Americans ahead 32-22, but France answered with a 14-8 spurt to close the first half, Marine Johannes scoring six points as her side kept within 40-36 at half-time. Without Bird, the Americans looked discombobulated at times on offense against France. The team that was averaging 105 points and 30 assists was held to just 40 points in the opening 20 minutes and just four assists. It was the first time in 31 Olympic contests she wasn’t on the court.
“This is always the hardest game”.
Now they need one more to stay on top.
The team seemed to get the message, going on a 14-5 run to start the period, including two 3-pointers by Taurasi that gave the Americans some breathing room. “They have as much talent and done as well as anybody besides us in the world”.
Unfortunately for the French, the Americans came out hot on offense and kept them in check on defense, allowing just eight points in the third quarter.
Greek referee Christos Christodoulou called 6 technical fouls in the first half, including the third foul on United States scoring leader Durant and the fourth on Spain forward Nikola Mirotic.
It was only the second time in Rio that the USA didn’t reach 100 points in a game.
It was the USA’s 52nd consecutive victory in a major global event and 24th consecutive Olympic victory.
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Spain’s Pau Gasol (4) celebrates a play during a men’s quarterfinal round basketball game against France at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016.
