(Tokyo Olympics) U.S. men’s basketball team narrowly beats France’s four consecutive Olympics, Durant scores 29 points
China News Service, Tokyo, August 7. The men’s basketball final of the Tokyo Olympics was held between the United States and France on the 7th. With the outstanding performance of the star Durant, the US team defeated their opponents 87:82 and achieved four consecutive Olympic titles.
As the world‘s basketball hegemon, the US team has won three consecutive Olympic championships in Beijing, London, and Rio. This campaign will face the French team that narrowly defeated the “dark horse” Slovenia. The US team aims to complete the goal of four consecutive championships. However, in the group stage of this Olympic Games, the US team lost to their opponents in the first match.
The American team, which is committed to “revenge”, combined inside and outside the first two quarters, continuously attacking the French team’s basket, while the French team used Gobert’s strong points to focus on attacking the American team’s inside line. At the end of the half, the US team led by 44:39, 5 points.
The lagging French team continued to use their inside advantage to score in the next two quarters, and once narrowed the difference to 2 points. At the critical moment, Durant, the core of the US team, stepped forward. He hit three consecutive points to help the US team maintain its lead.
In the last quarter, the two sides launched a fierce tug-of-war. The French team continuously forced the American team to make mistakes at the last minute and once saw the hope of tying the score. However, Durant led the US team with its experience advantage and successfully withstood the opponent’s counterattack, winning the game with a surprise 87:82.
In this campaign, Durant scored 29 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, becoming the biggest contributor to the US team’s victory. It is worth mentioning that Durant has also become the second basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals after American basketball legend Anthony.
Teammate Lillard was full of praise for Durant’s performance after the game. “He is so special. When he is on the court, it is hard not to be attracted by his performance.” He said frankly that the victory of this game is tantamount to a major relief for the team, especially with expectations. Under the circumstances, “the initial loss of some games put us under tremendous pressure, and this pressure makes people almost breathless.” He said. (Finish)
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