When they first met in the opening game of group play, the USA beat Serbia 110-84. It might look like an easy win for the four-time gold medalists, but diving into the box score means this semi-final could be an absolute barnstormer. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who led Serbia in a 24-point comeback to defeat Australia in the quarterfinals, had a plus/minus rating even in that opener.
That means the game was 81-81 in 31 minutes he played. America went 29-3 in the nine minutes he sat, averaging 34.6 minutes per game in the NBA regular season and 40.2 minutes in 12 playoff games, winning the league MVP. Can he go the distance in a knockout match at the Olympics? We’ll find out when the two teams take the court in Paris on Thursday.
USA vs. How to watch Serbia Olympic semi-finals
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Date: Thursday 8th August
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Time: 3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m
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Location: Percy Arena | Paris, France
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TV: USA Network, Universe
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Streaming: NBCOlympics.com, Peacock, Fubo
Stay tuned to Yahoo Sports for complete coverage of the USA vs. Serbia men’s basketball semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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USA-Serbia winner France will play for the gold medal
In the other men’s basketball semifinal, France beat Germany 73–69. Guerschon Yabusele scored 17 for the winners, while Isaia Cordinier added 16. Both players grabbed seven rebounds.
Dennis Schroeder led Germany with 18 points, followed by Franz Wagner with 10.
The host nation will face the winner of USA-Serbia in the gold medal game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.