The US basketball team, led by superstar LeBron James, is still one step away from the expected Olympic victory after a late comeback. With great effort, the star ensemble won its semi-final against Serbia and NBA exceptional player Nikola Jokic and followed France into the final after a 95:91 (43:54) victory. On Saturday (9.30 p.m.) they will play for gold against the hosts with young star Victor Wembanyama, who had previously beaten Germany (73:69).
The outstanding Stephen Curry, two-time NBA MVP of the Golden State Warriors, was the USA’s best scorer with 36 points. The new “Dream Team” won against Serbia for the second time at these Summer Games after winning the opening game (110:84).
In a high-class semi-final in the Bercy Arena in Paris, the team of former national coach Svetislav Pesic caused the top favorites a lot of problems and was even leading by 13 points before the final third. After that, however, the US stars turned things up again and fought their way into the final.
The 16-time Olympic champion is aiming for his fifth gold medal in a row in the final. The last time the US team did not finish first was at the 2004 Summer Games, but in Athens they won bronze. James (39) was there then, as well as at the Olympic victories in 2008 in Beijing and four years later in London.
Source: www.sport.de
