LYON, FRANCE – Thanks to a near-perfect performance from Kevin Durant and the brilliant all-around game of LeBron James, Team USA overcame a slow start to cruise past Nikola Jokic and Serbia, 110-84
For those who were clamoring for the defending four-time gold medal champions from the United States, after surviving scares vs South Sudan and Germany, they got their wish courtesy of the three-time NBA MVP and his Serbian compatriots.
Serbia, who were headlined by Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic helped Serbia jump out to an early first quarter lead, before the Slim Reaper cut their hopes and drama of a major upset to rest.
Coming in off the bench towards the end of the first quarter, and trailing Serbia, 19-14, Durant hit eight straight shots, including five three-pointers in 17 minutes, after missing a month due to a calf injury, to help fuel Team USA, who would never look back and cruise to a dominating win.
For the game, Durant finished with 23 points while making eight of his nine shot attempts. James would add 21 points, nine assists and six rebounds. The two longtime friends and rivals combined to make 14 shots and 35 points together along with seven three-pointers.
After trailing in the first quarter, the United States outscored Serbia. 96-65 following the Durant insertion, a plus-31 point swing, and one that the usually focused and well-coached Serbs were never able to recover from.
Jokic lead Serbia with 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds. Bogdanovic added 14 points and six assists. Jrue Holiday added 15 points, four assists, Devin Booker added 12 points and five assists and Steph Curry scored 11 points for Team USA.