The world’s strongest basketball team will face Serbia, led by National Basketball Association (NBA) best player Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The Americans advanced to the semifinals with a 122-87 victory over Brazil in the men’s basketball quarterfinals at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France, on Sunday (Sept. 7).
The Americans scored 63 points in the first half to take a 27-point lead and cruised to an easy victory.
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) led the team with 18 points, while Minnesota Timberwolves’ young ace Anthony Edwards added 17 points.
Other veterans also scored in double figures, including NBA “living legends” LeBron James (Lakers – 12 points) and Kevin Durant (Phoenix – 11 points). James also dished out nine assists, contributing to the all-around victory.
With his 11 points, Durant became the most prolific scorer in USA Basketball history with 494 points in four Olympics in a national team uniform.
The previous record was 488 points by WNBA legend Lisa Leslie.
Team USA, a “Dream Team” featuring NBA stars such as Steph Curry (Golden State) and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), is two wins away from snapping a five-game losing streak.
The USA, ranked No. 1 by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), has won every Olympic Games from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2021.
Next up is Serbia, led by Jokic. Serbia clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 95-90 overtime win over Australia.
Jokic finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, proving why he has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times in the last four seasons.
He also showed his game-changing ability in overtime when he hit a mid-range jumper after a one-on-one with 25 seconds left to make it 93-90.
Australia was led by veteran guard Patty Mills (Miami Heat), who exploded for 26 points.
The two teams will face off in the quarterfinals at 4 a.m. ET on Nov. 9 at Bercy Arena.
The United States and Serbia also met once in the group stage. In the first game of Group C, the United States defeated Serbia 110-84.
On the other side of the bracket, France and Germany defeated Canada and Greece, respectively, in the quarterfinals.
Germany, the defending FIBA World Cup champions, defeated Greece 76-63 behind Yannis Adetokunbo (Milwaukee).
Host France, led by “rookie of the year” Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio), defeated powerhouse Canada, 82-73, in a game that was loaded with NBA players.
Wembanyama scored just seven points, but grabbed 12 rebounds to help the French fight on the glass.
France and Germany will face off for a spot in the finals at 0:30 a.m. on Nov. 9. 바카라게임