Rio 2016: Team USA captures third-straight men’s basketball gold
After Serbia played them close in the group stage, Team USA routed them in the gold medal game of the 2016 Rio Olympics men’s basketball tournament
Kevin Durant and Team USA walked into Carioca Arena on Sunday at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a lot to ponder. Not only would they be taking on Serbia for the gold medal, but they’d also be looking for their third-straight Olympic gold. Moreover, they’d be facing a Serbia team that they only defeated by three points earlier in Rio. And early on Sunday, it was easy to see why.
Again reverting to a stagnant style of basketball with too much isolation, Serbia was right with Team USA after the first quarter. They trailed only by four points after 10 minutes and had to be thinking that they had a shot at gold. However, Coach K or someone on the Americans’ bench said something that lit a fire under them.
The United States came out surging in the second quarter, led by Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, and a tremendous defensive effort. While Team USA racked up 33 points in the quarter, they held the Serbs to only 14. Thus, they went into halftime up huge and with everything clicking on both ends of the floor.
It didn’t seem like the break fazed them at all, either. Durant and company came out of the locker room just as lethal as ever. The ball was zipping around the perimeter searching for open looks, Serbia couldn’t find any room to breathe when they had the ball, and it was simply total domination.
Team USA essentially just coasted the rest of the way home as they earned the 96-66 victory to capture their third-consecutive gold medal. After the win, Carmelo Anthony also announced after that “this is the end,” meaning he played his last Olympic game with Team USA.
Three Stars
Kevin Durant, United States — 30 points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals, one block
DeMarcus Cousins, United States — 13 points, 15 rebounds, two assists
Nemanja Nedovic, Serbia — 14 points, two assists, two steals, one rebound
Serbia obviously earns silver despite the losing effort on Sunday. Spain also earned the bronze medal earlier in the day, toppling Australia to make it to the podium. But just as everyone expected, it was the United States ultimately running away with the gold.