Stephen Curry, after a relatively quiet start in the U.S. men’s basketball team’s first two exhibition games, made a significant impact on Wednesday. With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, Curry scored a team-high 24 points, leading Team USA to a commanding 105-79 victory over Serbia in their third exhibition game.
Game Highlights
Curry’s performance was complemented by Bam Adebayo, who added 17 points, and Anthony Edwards, who scored 16 points. Anthony Davis contributed significantly to the defensive effort with seven points, six rebounds, and six blocks. LeBron James also played a crucial role, adding 11 points to the scoreboard.
The U.S. team showed their dominance early on, taking a substantial lead and maintaining it throughout the game. They led by as many as 31 points, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess in the last of a pair of warmup games held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Key Moments
The Americans had a shaky start but managed to turn things around with a 16-2 run in the second quarter, leading to a 56-42 advantage and a halftime score of 59-45. This run proved decisive as the U.S. continued to build on their lead, ultimately securing a comfortable win.
Nikola Jokic led Serbia with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Aleksa Avramovic added 14 points. Serbia, playing their second game in two days after a loss to Australia, struggled to keep up with the U.S. team’s pace and intensity.
Road to the Olympics
With this victory, the U.S. improved to 3-0 in their five-game exhibition series leading up to the Paris Olympics. The team now heads to London for two more tune-up games, facing South Sudan on Saturday and Germany on Monday at London’s O2 Arena.
Team Dynamics
The U.S. team has experimented with different starting lineups throughout the exhibition games. In this game, the starting lineup included Curry, James, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid. The coaching staff’s strategy of rotating players has allowed for various combinations to develop on-court chemistry.
Joel Embiid, a crucial addition to counter larger teams like Serbia, has been a consistent presence despite not being at peak conditioning. His role as a defensive anchor and playmaker was evident in this game.
Bench Contributions
The reserves played a significant role in maintaining the team’s momentum. Edwards, Davis, Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton, and Devin Booker provided a spark off the bench, helping the U.S. outscore Serbia 15-12 towards the end of the first quarter and tying the game at 28 entering the second quarter. The bench players accounted for 28 points in the first half, demonstrating the team’s depth and versatility.
Absences and Debuts
Kevin Durant missed his third straight game due to a calf strain but is expected to recover in time for the Olympics. In his absence, Derrick White made his debut, stepping in for Kawhi Leonard, who withdrew from the team.
Conclusion
Stephen Curry’s standout performance and the collective effort of Team USA highlight their readiness for the upcoming Olympics. With two more exhibition games to fine-tune their strategies and lineups, the U.S. team aims to build on this momentum as they prepare to compete for gold in Paris.
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