Kevin Durant bailed Team USA out with his fantastic 23-point performance, as the defending Olympic winners defeat Australia 97-78 to advance to the finals of Tokyo 2020.
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Without any doubt, The United States of America is the most dominant basketball team in the world. In fact, Team USA has been the best team for several decades, winning 15 Olympic Games out of the 18 times they participated in the prestigious event.
This year too, Team USA has constructed a deadly team. With Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard leading the pack, the squad consists of 9 All-Star including Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Zach LaVine, Draymond Green to name a few. Clearly, The USA is the strong favourites to win it all in Tokyo. And now are only one game away from winning a gold medal for the fourth consecutive time.
After defeating World Cup winners Spain in the quarterfinals, Gregg Popovich’s boys faced a determined Australia team led by NBA veterans Patty Mills and Joe Ingles. As expected, it was a close bout between the two teams up until the first half, with the Boomers holding onto a slender 45-42 lead. However, Team USA entered the second half with all guns blazing, eventually blowing out the Australians 97-78 to win the semi-finals clash.
@usabasketball defeats @BasketballAus 97-78 to advance to the #Tokyo2020 Men’s #Basketball Finals!
The U.S.A. will face the winner of France vs. Slovenia in the Gold Medal game.
KD: 23 PTS, 9 REB
Book: 20 PTS
Jrue: 11 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST
Mills: 15 PTS, 8 AST, 3 STL pic.twitter.com/VOVzWX5oRI— NBA (@NBA) August 5, 2021
NBA Twitter compliments Kevin Durant for leading Team USA to their fourth-consecutive Olympics finals appearance
It was an incredible night for Kevin Durant, who bailed The United States out whenever they needed him. KD finished the game with a terrific 23-point and 9-rebounds outing, shooting 52.6% from the field. Devin Booker too had a great performance as he put up 20 points on an extremely efficient 70/60/100 shooting split. Even though Zach LaVine scored only 9 points, the highflyer had 3 outrageous dunks, leaving everyone speechless. NBA champs Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton added 11 points each, helping their national team grab a much-needed win.
NBA fans were absolutely mesmerised with Kevin Durant’s 23-point night. And even lauded the American team as they advance to the Tokyo 2020 finals.
Give this man his roses, coming back from a torn Achilles mind you and still being one of the best in the game.
— Real Pterodactyl Ghost (@_BLUEZ52) August 5, 2021
KD in that 2nd and 3rd quarter: pic.twitter.com/jOYoATRtQ7
— (@WadexFlash) August 5, 2021
ZACH LAVINE CAN FLY
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 5, 2021
Golden State Warriors MVP Stephen Curry, who was up and cheering his boys, also reacted to the game.
Haha them boys out there cooking…
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 5, 2021
Also Read: Larry Bird enunciates his true feelings about the Lakers legend as a player and comrade
The USA are now one step closer to their goal. Kevin Durant and co. will now face the winner of the Slovenia-France semi-finals matchup. Despite their Tokyo 2020 opener loss, Team USA are the strong favourites to win gold.
