Team USA Earns Impressive Victory over Serbia in Pre-Olympic Exhibition

Led by Stephen Curry's 24 points, the United States men's basketball team defeated Serbia 105-79 in an Olympic exhibition, showcasing their defensive prowess and previewing a potential medal matchup at the upcoming Paris Games.

Stephen Curry, relatively quiet in previous exhibition games for the U.S. men's basketball team, exploded for 24 points in the team's resounding 105-79 victory over Serbia on Wednesday. With the official Olympic debut less than two weeks away, Curry asserted himself offensively, showcasing his scoring prowess. Bam Adebayo added 17 points, while Anthony Davis contributed seven points, six rebounds, and six blocks, leading a stifling U.S. defense that smothered Serbia throughout the contest. Anthony Edwards chipped in with 16 points, and LeBron James added 11.

The U.S. team dominated the game from the start, leading by as many as 31 points in the final warm-up game in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The victory improves their record to 3-0 in their five-game exhibition slate ahead of the Paris Olympics. The Americans now head to London for two more tune-ups before departing for France.

Team USA Earns Impressive Victory over Serbia in Pre-Olympic Exhibition

The U.S. overcame an uneven start to the game, fueled by a 16-2 run in the second quarter that gave them a 56-42 advantage. They maintained control in the second half, leading 59-45 at halftime.

Nikola Jokic, Serbia's standout player, tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Aleksa Avramovic contributed 14 points. Serbia played its second game in two days, having lost to Australia on Tuesday, a game in which captain Bogdan Bogdanovic rested.

The matchup between the U.S. and Serbia was a significant preview, as both teams find themselves in Group C at the Olympics. They will open their quests for gold against each other on July 28.

After nearly squandering a substantial lead in their narrow victory over Australia on Monday, the U.S. team displayed a concerted effort to avoid a similar letdown against Serbia. They led by 25 points after three quarters and quickly extended it to 30 in the final quarter.

The U.S. lineup underwent its third adjustment, with Curry, James, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid starting. Curry, James, and Embiid have been constants in the starting lineup throughout the exhibitions.

Embiid's inclusion on the roster was heavily influenced by the U.S. coaching staff's desire to counteract imposing teams like Serbia, which boasts a trio of 7-footers. Although Embiid's conditioning is still developing, he made an impact on both ends, finding open teammates and disrupting shots in the paint.

For the second consecutive game, the U.S. reserves provided a significant spark. Edwards, Davis, Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton, and Devin Booker entered the game with 4:54 remaining in the opening quarter and trailing 16-13. The reserves rallied to outscore Serbia 15-12 for the rest of the period, tying the game at 28 heading into the second quarter. The U.S. reserves combined for 28 points off the bench in the first half.

Kevin Durant sat out for the third straight game as he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered early in training camp. However, guard Derrick White made his debut after joining the team over the weekend as Kawhi Leonard's replacement.

The U.S. team's victory over Serbia showcased their defensive prowess and provided a glimpse of their potential at the upcoming Olympic Games. With just over a week until their Olympic debut, the Americans are fine-tuning their game and building momentum as they aim to reclaim the gold medal.