After an exhilarating 95-91 comeback against Team Serbia, Team USA’s men’s basketball team is on the brink of capturing its fifth consecutive gold medal in a climactic rematch from the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Taking the floor on Saturday in Paris will be Team France, spearheaded by the 20-year-old sensation Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, following their semifinal victory over Team Germany.
Read More: USA Basketball Stages Epic Comeback to Defeat Serbia, Advance to Gold Medal Match
In a strategic shift, head coach Steve Kerr plans to elevate Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant to a starting position, as per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. This move will see Boston Celtics’ Jrue Holiday, known for his stellar perimeter defense, take a seat on the bench.
It’s curious why Holiday, an All-Defensive Second Team player, is being sidelined instead of All-Star Devin Booker. While Booker has shone in key moments, both he and Durant currently lack elite defensive prowess.
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Joining Durant and Booker in the starting lineup will be LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers, Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors, and Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Read More: Serbia’s Star and Coach Hold Referees Responsible for Final Moments in Loss to USA Basketball
At 39, James is likely eyeing his final Olympic appearance. He remarked, “At my age and in my 22nd season, I cherish these opportunities to compete at a high level,” reflecting on the importance of the semifinal game against Serbia, according to BasketNews.
How To Watch
The gold medal clash is set to start at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock, Fubo, and Sling TV.
Predictions
BetMGM Sportsbook has the USA as heavy favorites at -16.5 points to secure yet another gold medal. If successful, Durant would earn his unprecedented fourth gold medal.
Final Prediction: USA 95 – France 85