With a quarterfinal win over Brazil on Tuesday, Team USA advanced to the men’s basketball semifinals of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Bam Adebayo of Team USA and Nikola Jovic of Serbia could face off in the forthcoming rematch against Serbia in an attempt to advance to the title game.
It’s unclear if Jovic will be well enough to play against Adebayo and the Americans on Thursday because he was allegedly unwell and missed Serbia’s quarterfinal victory over Australia on Tuesday.
Though he came off the bench in the 122-87 quarterfinal victory over Brazil, Adebayo scored nine points and pulled down seven rebounds, suggesting that he is still in fine shape. LeBron James, a former standout player for the Heat, started the game and finished with 12 points and 9 assists.
In the first group round matchup between Team USA and Serbia, the Americans prevailed 110-84. In the game, Jovic scored five points and pulled down two rebounds, while Adebayo added four points and two rebounds.
In a practice match before the official Olympic competition, the United States also triumphed 105-79 over Serbia.
Preliminary results indicate that Team USA is the overwhelming favorite to overcome NBA star Nikola Jokic’s Serbia and progress to the gold medal game. In men’s basketball, the US is aiming for their fifth straight gold medal.
Germany will play the host nation of France, under the leadership of Victor Wembanyama, in the other semifinal. Tuesday’s 82-73 victory over Canada in the quarterfinals saw Germany move on after defeating Greece 76-63.
In the gold medal game of the Tokyo Olympics, the United States triumphed over France—without Wembanyama.
Team USA is unbeaten at the Olympics under the direction of coach Steve Kerr, who is assisted by Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. The team uses different lineups and rotations depending on the matchups that its opponents present.
Team USA will move on to the gold medal game, which is set for this Saturday, if it can defeat Serbia once more.
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