By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
In their last preparation game in Abu Dhabi before heading to London, where they will face both South Sudan and Germany prior to the Olympic Games in Paris, USA Basketball easily took down Serbia 105-79.
Stephen Curry was in vintage mode tonight, making it rain from beyond the arc. Anthony Edwards also provided offensive sparks, while the frontcourt composed of Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo locked down on defense.
Nikola Jokic, who was greeted with MVP chants in Abu Dhabi, tried to keep his team in contention in the first half alongside Aleksa Avramovic, who found early success from the arc. But they both weren’t enough.
Vintage Steph.
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/Aj9GtLnEZy
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 17, 2024
These two national teams will cross paths again soon, as they’re both present in Group C of the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 alongside South Sudan and Puerto Rico.
Abu Dhabi’s ultimate friendly game was the preview of their opening matchup in Lille’s Pierre Mauroy Stadium, scheduled on July 28 at 17:15 CET.
The Serbian national team couldn’t have Bogdan Bogdanovic on board, as the Atlanta Hawks shooting guard was ruled out just like it happened against Australia.
The same applied to Kevin Durant, whose status for the upcoming Olympics is still unclear due to a calf injury. Kawhi Leonard already left the team, being replaced by Derrick White.
Prior to this showdown, Serbia, USA Basketball, and Australia already had clashes with each other. The Boomers bounced back after losing to Steve Kerr’s team with a win over last year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup silver medalists.
Full action from USA Basketball-Serbia:
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images