Team USA is gearing up for a highly anticipated semifinal showdown against Serbia in the basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The game is slated to be held at the iconic Bercy Arena in Paris, tipping off at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 8.
This matchup comes on the heels of some impressive performances by Team USA in the group stages. They showcased their dominance by securing victories against Brazil (ranked No. 12 by FIBA), Puerto Rico (ranked No. 16), and South Sudan (ranked No. 33). Perhaps most notably, Team USA handed Serbia a resounding defeat, triumphing by a 26-point margin. Their three-point shooting was on fire in that game, hitting 18 of 32 attempts, which translates to a striking 56.3% success rate. In stark contrast, Serbia struggled from beyond the arc, making just 9 of their 37 attempts, a mere 24.3% success rate.
Despite this recent commanding win, Team USA remains cautious. Serbia is no stranger to high-stakes basketball. Historically, they have proven to be formidable opponents, having defeated Team USA at the 2019 World Cup. More recently, Serbia clinched a silver medal at the 2023 World Cup and took home another silver from the 2016 Olympics. Their squad boasts the talents of Nikola Jokic, a player who has consistently shown his prowess on the international stage.
An anonymous source close to Team USA emphasized the significance of leveraging their top talent, stating, "We have the best player and we're going to ride him for 40 minutes." The strategy appears to be clear: play fast and force Serbia into defensive rotations. Another source familiar with the team's game plan further elaborated, "The idea is going to be to play fast, get Serbia in rotation and take advantage of the fact that Jokic is neither an elite rim protector nor switch defender."
The stakes are incredibly high for this semifinal clash, with the winner earning the opportunity to compete against France in the gold medal game. The French team has also been formidable throughout the tournament, adding an additional layer of anticipation and excitement to what promises to be a thrilling game.
Basketball fans from around the globe will watch with bated breath as these two titans of the sport collide. With both teams having a mix of skill, strategy, and the weight of history behind them, the semifinal is set to be a spectacle for the ages. Will Team USA continue their dominant run, or will Serbia avenge their group stage loss and carve their path to the final? All eyes will be on the court this Thursday to find out.