Australian curse continues: Unstoppable Durant leads Team USA to the Olympics final / News - Basketnews.com

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Kevin Durant put up a spectacular performance and led Team USA to the fourth Olympic final in a row.

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In the first semifinal of the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Americans 97-78 (18-24, 24-21, 32-10, 23-23) beat Australia. For the Australians, it was their fifth semifinal loss in the Olympic basketball tournament.

In the gold medal game, Team USA will face either Slovenia or France.

Durant scored 23 points (9/12 2PT, 1/7 3PT, 2/2 FT) and added 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, with 28 EFF.

The momentum shifted in the third quarter. Jrue Holiday made a driving layup, Durant added two mid-range jumpers in a row, and Team USA started the period on a 12-0 run and took a 9-point lead (54-45).

Australia tried to stay in the game, but Team USA made a final punch just before the end of the third quarter. Devin Booker made a 3-pointer, Khris Middleton made a fadeaway jumper, Jayson Tatum scored another basket from deep, and Team USA was leading 74-55.

The fourth quarter was just a formality, as Americans remained in charge and didn't let Australia come close.

"I think (teams) wanna get us down early in hopes that we panic," Durant said on NBC after the victory. "We didn't. We came out in the third quarter with amazing energy and fight."

For Team USA, Booker added 20 points (4/5 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 3/3 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, and 22 EFF.

"I feel like everybody is making second and third efforts on the defensive side of the ball," Booker said.

The beginning of the game was looking good for Australia, which took charge in the second quarter.

Chris Goulding knocked down a 3-pointer, Nick Kay made a hook shot, Dante Exum drove to the basket, and Australia made a 15-6 run and with 5 minutes left to play in the second quarter was leading 41-26.

Player of the Game EFF 26 Kevin Durant Points 23 Accuracy 10-19 Rebounds 9 Assists 2

However, it didn’t last long. Durant made a jumper, Booker made the first Americans 3-pointer of the game, Tatum added another shot from deep, and Team USA answered with a 16-4 run and went into halftime with only 3 points deficit (42-45).

It wasn’t the best Mills’ performance, but he still was Australia’s top scorer and finished the game with 15 points (2/9 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 2/2 FT), 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, and 18 EFF.

Team USA made their first 3-pointer only in the second quarter, missing the first 10 attempts. The Americans finished the game making 9 of 28 3-pointers (32%).

Meanwhile, Australia made 11 of 26 3-pointers (42%).

Team USA: Kevin Durant 23 (9/12 2PT, 1/7 3PT, 9 REB, 26 EFF), Devin Booker 20 (4/5 2PT, 3/5 3P), Jrue Holiday 11 (5/9 2PT, 8 REB, 8 AST), Khris Middleton 11 (4/6 2PT), Zach LaVine 9, Jayson Tatum 9 (3/6 3PT, 2 BLK).Australia: Patty Mills 15 (2/9 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 5 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL), Dante Exum 14 (2/3 3PT, 6/6 FT), Jock Landale 11 (5/11 2PT, 6 REB), Joe Ingles 9 (2/4 3PT), Chris Goulding 8 (2/6 3PT), Nick Kay 7.

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