The United States Men’s Basketball team is heading home from the Olympics after a 90-73 win over France in the gold medal game, and they can take some pride in what they accomplished. The game wasn’t as close as the score indicates – at one point the French had a 71-43 lead – but it was a fantastic game, full of highlights. The Americans led by as much as 14 points in the first half, but the French made a furious comeback in the second half, cutting the lead to only four points at the end of regulation, and forcing overtime. In overtime, the Americans scored the first seven points of the extra period, and the French never really got closer than 24 points.
After losing the gold medal game last summer to the same French team, Team USA is looking to win another gold medal using the same strategy it used to get its first three: play defense.
Team USA men’s basketball beat France in the gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, beating them by two points, 105 to 104. The Americans are now one of only two countries that have achieved the feat of winning four straight Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball. The other country to do so is the Soviet Union, which won four straight Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball, and the only other country to have a single Olympic streak is the United States of America.. Read more about usa vs france basketball box score olympics and let us know what you think.
SAITAMA, JAPAN – SAITAMA, JAPAN – There have been more dominating, skilled, and well-known Team USA teams than the one that gathered in Tokyo for the Olympics. But no national team has ever triumphed in the face of such hardship.
That will be the group’s enduring memory, and it will be a happy one for American basketball, as the US men’s team won gold after defeating France 87-82 on Saturday. The record books will reflect that Team USA won their fourth gold in a row, but it was far from routine.
It wasn’t only because they’d won the greatest reward that the Americans rejoiced after the final bell, covering themselves in flags and hugging one another, but also because they understood what had gone up to it.
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Kevin Durant, who added a magnificent chapter to his Olympic career by scoring 29 points to cap off a great campaign, had a unique take on it. This was his third gold medal, after two NBA championships. He signed a new $198 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets only hours before the game.
Durant, who wrapped himself in the American flag after avenging Team USA’s defeat to France earlier in the tournament, felt differently about this one. Only eight of his teammates were on the aircraft when he traveled to Japan less than three weeks ago, and no one knew how or if they’d be able to come together after some poor play.
“This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Durant remarked. “It’s incredible to be a part of a team that is growing by the second. We improved with each game. I’m glad that we all committed to it, stayed with it, and saw it through.”
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Durant scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half, easing the pressure on a squad facing a tough French team with a large size advantage that they planned to exploit. France pushed switches that frequently put Durant on 7-foot-2 center Rudy Gobert, with the goal of getting Durant into foul trouble.
In the game, Gobert earned nine fouls, and Durant had to take three of them. Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich, on the other hand, was prepared to gamble on the percentages, as Gobert, a poor free throw shooter, shot just 6-of-13 from the line. Gobert had 16 points, but he wasn’t able to make a difference.
That went to Durant, who exhausted himself early as he hunted for shots while looking to get the U.S. out to a lead. Once again the Americans struggled shooting in the first half — they were just 4-of-18 from 3-point range, making it 10-of-48 in the first half of the past three games — and it was Durant who saved the day.
“KD isn’t unique just because he’s gifted. His approach to improving his game is much more remarkable “According to Popovich. “It’s like osmosis, the bonds he forms with teammates, the respect he earns, and the pleasure he finds in playing. It affects all of the players.”
Durant’s teammates were eager to give him credit, which he attempted to dismiss as usual.
“Kevin Durant is exactly who we thought he was,” said Draymond Green, who won two NBA championships and the 2016 Olympic gold alongside him in Golden State. “He’s one of the best players in the history of the game. One of the most unique men you’ve ever seen lace on his sneakers and go onto a basketball floor.”
After the game, USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo, who is leaving after 16 years on the job, was in tears as he discussed what Durant has meant to the organization.
“He’s a one-of-a-kind individual. He loves the sport. He is a huge basketball fan in the United States “According to Colangelo. “He has that sort of personality.”
With Durant tiring in the second half, Jayson Tatum filled in well as a scorer off the bench. Both in the 2019 World Cup and in pool play last month, France fought back in the fourth quarter to defeat the United States, but Tatum helped fend off another charge Saturday.
He ended with 19 points after making two crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Guard Evan Fournier, who had 28 points in the win against the United States two weeks ago and was a key component of the game plan Saturday, is another French thorn. The US, on the other hand, had an in-tune Jrue Holiday, who capped off an amazing summer with one last outstanding defensive effort.
Holiday smothered Fournier and ended with three thefts and a block. Fournier is known for slipping open for spot-up shots. Holiday, on the other hand, was crucial to the entire defensive effort, as he frequently pushed the French out of their sets and held Fournier at bay.
Fournier finished the game with 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
Holiday and his Milwaukee Bucks teammate Khris Middleton were the fifth and sixth players in NBA history to win both the NBA championship and the Olympic gold medal in the same summer. Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen are the others.
“I suppose it’s been a heck of a summer for me thinking about it and sharing the tale,” Holiday added.
For Popovich, the win was a watershed moment. Late roster adjustments and the last-minute arrival of three players from the NBA Finals cut into the renowned coach’s preparation time this summer. He was left rushing to put together plans while under extreme pressure to maintain his gold-medal winning run.
“Every championship is unique, every group you’re with is special,” Popovich said, “but I can honestly say this is the most responsibility I’ve ever felt.” “The weight of duty is enormous, and I’ve been aware of it every day for many years. I’m really exhausted.”
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, came to a close today with Team USA defeating France in the gold medal basketball game. The United States edged France, 101–94, to complete a four-game sweep of the basketball tournament and extend their winning streak to an Olympic-best 14 consecutive gold medals. The victory in the final game marked the 18th straight Olympic gold medal for the United States and gave the team its record-tying fourth straight Olympic gold medal.. Read more about usa basketball vs france stats and let us know what you think.
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