The United States men’s basketball team showcased their dominance with a decisive 122-87 victory over Brazil on Tuesday, securing a semi-final showdown with Serbia in the Olympic basketball tournament. The game, held at the Bercy Arena, saw standout performances from several NBA stars, further cementing the US team’s reputation as a powerhouse in the sport.
Devin Booker led the charge with 18 points, while Anthony Edwards contributed 17, setting the tone for a game characterized by high-energy plays and impressive teamwork. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James added 12 points and nine assists before an inadvertent elbow to the eye in the third quarter forced his early exit. Despite his departure, the US team, brimming with NBA talent, continued to deliver a stream of highlight-reel plays that thrilled the crowd.
James, reflecting on the game, emphasized the team’s ultimate objective. “We understand what the main goal is, and the main goal is for us to win gold,” he said. “That’s all I care about.” This focus on the bigger picture underscores the determination driving the US team as they pursue their fifth consecutive Olympic title and 17th overall.
One of the standout moments of the game was the performance of Cameroon-born Joel Embiid. Embiid, who chose to represent the United States despite being eligible to play for France, scored 14 points and was flawless from beyond the arc, connecting on all three of his three-point attempts. His decision to play for the US had not gone unnoticed, drawing boos from French fans, but Embiid remained unfazed, delivering a stellar performance.
Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant also made significant contributions, scoring 13 and 11 points respectively. Durant’s dunk late in the third quarter not only added to the team’s lead but also marked a historic moment in Olympic basketball. With that dunk, Durant reached 489 points in his Olympic career, making him the most prolific scorer among US men and women basketballers, surpassing Lisa Leslie’s record. “Records are meant to be broken, so somebody will come along and do the same,” Durant said modestly. “We’re just focused on trying to win this gold.”
Brazil, for their part, showed commendable energy and effort. They managed to cut a 19-point deficit to eight midway through the second quarter, thanks to a spurt featuring a dunk from Lucas Dias and three-pointers from Marcelinho Huertas and Dias. However, a critical foul on Stephen Curry during a three-point attempt allowed Curry to convert all three free throws, reigniting the US offense.
James’s layup after a scramble under the basket extended the US lead to 50-36, sparking a 13-0 run to close the first half. This run, capped by a dunk from Jayson Tatum, effectively put the game out of Brazil’s reach. Former NBA first-round draft pick Bruno Caboclo led all scorers with 30 points for Brazil, but his efforts were not enough to bridge the gap in the second half.
Looking ahead, the US will face a formidable Serbian team led by Nikola Jokic, who rallied from 24 points down to edge out Australia 95-90 earlier on Tuesday. The US has already beaten Serbia twice in recent weeks, once in a tune-up game and again in group play. However, James remains cautious. “Every game is its own test,” he said. “It don’t matter what happened in the first two, it’s about what goes down Thursday night. So we need to lock in on our film session tomorrow, lock in during the day on Thursday, and then come out and be ready to go.”
As the US team prepares for their next challenge, their focus and determination to achieve the ultimate goal of winning gold remain unwavering.
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