This Saturday, Team USA’s formidable men’s basketball squad is gearing up for an intense gold medal showdown against Team France in Paris, aiming for their fifth consecutive Olympic victory.
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After a string of dominating wins, the U.S. faced a fierce challenge from Team Serbia in the semifinals, where they found themselves down by 17 points at one stage. The Americans rallied, especially in the fourth quarter, to secure a nail-biting 95-91 victory.
Meanwhile, Team Serbia will go against Team Germany for the bronze medal, setting the stage for the main event.
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Unlike Serbia, Team France doesn’t have a standout like Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic, but they boast a roster filled with talent, including rising star Victor Wembanyama and veteran Rudy Gobert. While Gobert’s role has been diminished this tournament, he remains part of the team’s strategy off the bench.
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As the gold medal game approaches, here are three key factors to keep an eye on:
The Battle of the Bigs
Joel Embiid, the 2023 MVP, has taken on the center position for Team USA but experienced an unsteady start to the tournament. In the semifinal, he finally shined, scoring 19 points with an impressive shooting performance. Despite his offensive contributions, he poses a defensive liability. Coach Kerr may want to consider pivoting to Anthony Davis or Bam Adebayo for tougher matchups against Wembanyama.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry had gone through a slow start but erupted in the semifinal, racking up 36 points with pinpoint shooting. Despite being less effective on defense, he has the opportunity to excel against Team France’s Frank Ntilikina, whose offensive skills are limited.
The Forwards
Kevin Durant is expected to claim the starting forward position over Jrue Holiday, bringing his speed and experience to the court. France’s forwards, including Nicolas Batum and Guerschon Yabusele, will be tested by Durant’s defensive prowess, especially against a scoring-forward like Yabusele, who has had a standout tournament.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Team USA is currently favored to win by 16.5 points, with a total game score projected at 178.5 points.