[Epoch Times August 07, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Wang Yezhi comprehensive report) On August 7, local time, the men’s basketball match of the Tokyo Olympic Games staged the final finals. Relying on tenacious defense and teamwork, the US men’s basketball team defeated the French team 87:82 and won the Olympic men’s basketball “four consecutive championships.” American star Kevin Durant scored 29 points, becoming the first player in history to score more than 100 points in all three Olympics.
France once defeated the United States in the group stage
Due to the disastrous defeat in the 2019 Men’s Basketball World Cup, the US men’s basketball team tried to save face in this Olympics. Although James, Curry and other stars with market appeal did not participate, the coach Popovich still formed A strong squad of all NBA players, including strong players: Durant of the Nets, Lillard of the Trail Blazers, Rising Suns Booker, Tatum of the Celtics and the championship Middleton and Holiday of the Bucks and so on.
However, the preparations for the US men’s basketball team were not smooth, losing streak in the warm-up match; and in the opening match of the group stage, they encountered an “open door” and lost 76:83 to the French team in the final. Fortunately, the US team adjusted in time. After a wave of winning streaks, they advanced to the quarter-final knockout round with the second place in the group. Next, they beat the Spanish team led by Gasol in the quarter-finals; they reversed the Australian team in the semifinals and entered the final.
The strength of the US team’s final opponent-the French men’s basketball team should not be underestimated. This veteran European team has 5 active NBA players, namely: Gobert (Jazz), Fournier (Celtic), Batum (Clippers), Nellikina (Knicks), Cabaro Te (Nets) is basically an NBA team. And the only game that the US men’s basketball team lost in this Olympics was thanks to the French team in the group stage; and the French team has not beaten them once. In the 2019 Basketball World Cup, the French men’s basketball team has beaten the US team.
The U.S. defeats France for four consecutive championships
In order to cater for the American fans to watch the final, the time was arranged before the bronze medal match-Australia vs. Slovenia. After the game started, maybe because the game was played in the local morning, the American players were obviously out of shape. After 5 minutes of the game, the US team made only 2 of 11 shots, trailing 4:10, and all 4 points were from Durant.
With 4 minutes and 28 seconds left in the first quarter, the US team only made a third shot. After that, they gradually entered the state and will overtake the score. Durant scored 12 points in the first quarter to help the US team lead 22:18. Entering the second quarter, the US team increased the defensive intensity to the level of confrontation in the NBA playoffs, resulting in a continuous increase in French player errors. Although the score advantage has not been opened up, the US team has completely controlled the trend of the game. After halftime, the US team led the French team 44:39.
In the second half of the game, the two sides’ shooting rate was still not very high, and the score did not open up, but the US team was significantly better than the opponent in terms of rebounds, steals and control errors. During the game, the American players seemed a little hesitant to shoot, and it seemed that they were more willing to pass the ball. These stars, who have unlimited firing powers in their respective teams, are more restrained when they come to the national team. Durant, who scored 20 points in the first half, scored only 9 points in the second half and spent most of his time passing or assisting teammates.
After all, the American players have very strong personal abilities, and being able to increase their defensive strength is already the greatest respect for their opponents. In the end, the US team defeated the French team 87:82 without any suspense, and won the men’s basketball gold medal in four consecutive Olympic Games.
Editor in charge: Zheng Huang
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