Stephen Curry had a breakout performance for the US Olympic team in their third exhibition game, leading them to a dominant 105-79 victory over Serbia. After a relatively quiet start in the first two exhibitions, Curry showcased his offensive prowess, scoring 24 points, including the first nine for the US. His hot start, orchestrated by Coach Steve Kerr, set the tone for the game, as the US built a commanding lead that reached 31 points.
Bam Adebayo also played a pivotal role, contributing 17 points, while Anthony Davis impressed with a defensive performance, recording seven points, six rebounds, and six blocks. Anthony Edwards added 16 points, and LeBron James chipped in with 11. The US’s ability to overwhelm Serbia with different defensive looks was a key factor in their success, as they held Serbia to just 41% shooting.
The US used their third different starting lineup, featuring Curry, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. While Embiid’s conditioning is still not at its peak, he played an active role on both ends of the court. The US reserves also provided a significant spark, with Edwards, Davis, Tyrese Haliburton, Adebayo, and Devin Booker entering the game in the first quarter and making an immediate impact.
The victory further solidifies the US’s dominance as they prepare for the Paris Olympics, where they will face Serbia again in Group C on July 28th. The US has two more tune-up games against South Sudan and Germany in London before heading to France for the Olympics. Coach Steve Kerr is pleased with the team’s progress, highlighting their depth and defensive intensity as key strengths.
