In a thrilling semifinal matchup at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Miami Heat players Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic faced off as Team USA narrowly defeated Serbia 95-91. Serbia, led by Jovic, started strong and built a lead of up to 17 points, but Team USA, with Adebayo’s support, staged a late comeback to secure the win.
Team USA struggled defensively in the first half, allowing Serbia to hit 15 three-pointers and grab nine offensive rebounds. At one point, Serbia was shooting close to 50% from beyond the arc, putting immense pressure on Team USA to tighten up their defense.
Adebayo, who played 10 minutes, contributed with an assist and a steal, while focusing on defending Serbia’s star, Nikola Jokic. His defensive efforts helped limit Jokic, who was constrained late in the game due to foul trouble. Despite not scoring, Adebayo’s presence was vital in tiring out Jokic and preventing him from being more effective in the closing minutes.
On the other side, Jovic also did not score, contributing one assist and one steal in three minutes of action. Although his time on the court was brief, Jovic’s early efforts helped Serbia build their initial lead.
The game saw the legendary trio of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant play crucial roles for Team USA. Curry led with 36 points, including nine three-pointers, while LeBron recorded a triple-double. Their combined efforts were key in overcoming Serbia’s strong start and sealing the victory.
Team USA now advances to the gold medal game against France on August 10, while Serbia will compete for the bronze medal against Germany. Both Adebayo and Jovic will have the opportunity to secure a medal for their respective countries, showcasing their talents on the world stage.
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