Inside The Celtics

Team USA Salvages Gold Medal Hopes with Final Frame Rally vs. Serbia

Bobby Krivitsky

Jul 31, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States guard Lebron James (6) dunks against South Sudan small forward Nuni Omot (5) in the fourth quarter during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States guard Lebron James (6) dunks against South Sudan small forward Nuni Omot (5) in the fourth quarter during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
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Even with the best player in the world leading the way for Serbia, what happened to the United States men's basketball team in the first half was truly shocking.

In a simple yet savvy tactical adjustment, Serbia unleashed a zone defense it hadn't deployed in its previous two tilts against the U.S. Their switch in strategy bogged down Team USA's offense, as the latter's star-studded squad never led by more than two or for longer than 1:01 in the first half.

At the other end of the floor, a United States team capable of putting the clamps on anyone was its own worst enemy. Unable to quell its bad habit of gambling for steals and trying to jump passes on the perimeter, Team USA fell behind by as much as 17 before a late 7-0 run trimmed the deficit to 54-43 intermission.

A fiery Serbia squad remained red hot in the third frame, generating 22 points in ten minutes, burying 5/11 threes, maintaining their average of five threes per quarter through the first three periods, and taking a 76-63 lead into the last ten minutes against a stunned opposition.

While he gave up some costly rebounds in the final frame, Joel Embiid, who finished with 19 points, carried Team USA's offense during a crucial stretch where he produced three straight field goals, fueling a 7-0 run, capped by a LeBron James layup that tied the game at 84 with 3:41 left.

James registered his second triple-double of the Paris Olympics, stuffing the stat sheet with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists on Thursday.

With the two sides deadlocked at 84, a Stephen Curry three, followed by another layup from James, and a pick-six by Curry, gave the U.S. its largest lead to that point, a 91-86 advantage, with 1:41 remaining.

A Bogdan Bogdanovic layup through contact from Embiid kept Serbia within one possession. His free throw, completing the old-school three-point play, narrowed the gap to 91-89 with 56 seconds to go.

But trailing by two with under 30 seconds left, Serbia allowed precious time to tick off before finally fouling Curry, sending him to the foul line. The two-time league MVP buried both free throws for two of his game-high 36 points, completing the comeback in a fourth quarter where the U.S. outscored Serbia 32-15, earning a 95-91 victory to reach the gold medal game against France, the host country, on Saturday.

Further Reading

Celtics Trio Helps Team USA Cruise by Brazil in Knockout Play

Jayson Tatum Stuffs the Stat Sheet in Team USA's Win vs. Puerto Rico

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jrue Holiday, Derrick White Discuss Team USA's Opening Olympic Win

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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