Stephen Curry scored an impressive 24 points in the team's dominating win in basketball team Olympic team's dominant victory over Serbia, marking a significant turnaround from his more subdued performances in the first two exhibition games.
This determination comes less than two weeks before his official Olympic debut, suggesting that he is finding his rhythm at a crucial time. Curry's early scoring spurt, where he scored the first nine points for the U.S., was a strategy designed to energize his overall game and set the pace for the rest of the team.
Star Team
LeBron James confirmed that this plan was to ensure Curry saw some shots going in, which in turn opened up opportunities for his teammates and helped establish an early lead.
Team USA showed its strength and depth in its 105-79 victory over Serbia, improving to a perfect 3-0 in its five-game exhibition series before the Paris Olympics.
Bam Adebayo played a crucial role with 17 points, demonstrating his offensive capabilities while also contributing to a solid defensive performance. Anthony Davis, despite scoring only seven points, made a significant impact with six rebounds and six blocks, anchoring a U.S. defense that effectively limited Serbia's scoring opportunities.
Anthony Edwards added 16 points, while LeBron James chipped in with 11, showcasing the team's balanced attack. USA led by as many as 31 points during the game, indicating their dominance and preparation as they head into the Olympic competition.
They will then travel to London for two more preparation games against South Sudan and Germany, which will further test and refine their strategies before the main event in France.
Steve Kerr's Approach
U.S. coach Steve Kerr highlighted the team's depth and ability to overwhelm opponents with various defensive schemes as key to their success. Kerr believes the team's strength lies in its depth, which allows them to play in short bursts of intense defense, including hitting bodies, rebounding and being physical.
This approach helps them maintain high energy levels and keep their defensive pressure constant. USA used a decisive 16-2 run in the second quarter to gain a 56-42 lead, demonstrating their ability to change the momentum of the game quickly.
By halftime, they had extended their lead to 59-45. Kerr's strategy revolves around utilizing the team's versatility and depth, ensuring that each player contributes as much as possible during their time on the court.
Despite losing captain Bogdan Bogdanovic for the second straight game, Serbia battled but ultimately struggled offensively against the stout U.S. defense. Nikola Jokic was outstanding for Serbia, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, showing his usual versatility and skill.
Aleksa Avramovic added 14 points, but it was not enough to keep pace with the high-scoring U.S. team. Serbia's shooting was poor at just 41% from the field (29-of-71), reflecting its difficulty in finding good scoring opportunities.
The U.S. held a significant advantage in rebounds, 30-21, with Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis combining for 14 rebounds, further highlighting their control of the game.
The U.S. experimented with its third different starting five in three games, featuring Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. This lineup adjustment reflects the coaching staff's efforts to find the most effective combinations of players.
Curry, James and Embiid have been constants in all three exhibitions, indicating their crucial roles in the team's strategy. Embiid's inclusion is particularly strategic to counter larger international teams like Serbia, known for its trio of 7-footers.
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- Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 17, 2024
Insole Depth
While Embiid's fitness is still a work in progress, he made significant contributions on both ends of the court, finding cutters on offense and serving as an impediment on defense.
The U.S. bench played a crucial role for the second straight game, providing a much-needed spark and keeping the team's energy levels high. Anthony Edwards, Anthony Davis, Tyrese Haliburton, Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker entered the game late in the first quarter when the U.S. was down 16-13.
Their collective effort helped them outscore Serbia 15-12 for the remainder of the period, tying the game at 28 going into the second quarter. The energy and scoring ability of the bench was key, with the reserves contributing 28 points off the bench in the first half alone.
This depth allows the U.S. to maintain a high level of play throughout the game, wearing down its opponents.
Kevin Durant missed his third straight game as he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered at the start of training camp. His absence is acutely felt, but also provides an opportunity for other players to step up.
White's Debut
Derrick White made his debut, having joined the team over the weekend as a replacement for Kawhi Leonard. White played just over nine minutes, contributing four rebounds and an assist, showing his willingness to fit into the team dynamic and add value where needed.
Both the U.S. and Serbia will compete in Group C at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, with their first match between them scheduled for July 28. This game serves as an important preview of their Olympic encounter, providing both teams with valuable information and areas for improvement.
The U.S. will use its remaining exhibition games in London against South Sudan on Saturday and Germany on Monday at London's O2 Arena to fine-tune its strategies and build greater cohesion within the team. These games will be crucial to ensure the team is at its best when it heads to France ready to compete for Olympic gold.
