Team USA had a big scare against Team Australia, but in hindsight, it’s probably going to end up being a blessing in disguise.
It was a strong reminder that nothing is guaranteed in this tournament, and with Team USA being the heavy favorites, every opponent is going to try to bring even more tenacity to try to unseat such a dominant team.
Team USA is playing Team Serbia today, and with their win over Team Australia, Team USA sits alone at the top of the Group A standings.
Team Australia just beat Team China 93-68, so they moved to 3-1. Team USA will try to move to 4-0 against Team Serbia to keep their lead in Group A.
Focused on today's game, the #USABMNT heads out to today's #Rio2016 action vs SERBIA. ????? pic.twitter.com/PC9TEVzemi
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 12, 2016
Team Serbia comes into their showdown against Team USA at 1-2. They won their opening game against Team Venezuela 86-62, but have lost two in a row since.
They lost to Team Australia 95-80 and to Team France by an extremely narrow margin of 76-75.
Team Serbia has only 1 player currently in the NBA on their roster. Center Nikola Jokic made the All-Rookie First Team this past season for the Denver Nuggets.
Team Serbia has gotten a strong performance from Miroslav Raduljica this tournament, who is 4th among all Olympic players with 19.7 points per game these Olympics.
USA men & Serbia last clashed 2 years ago in World Cup final. Get your USA-Serbia preview at https://t.co/eiLRG0s5Lf pic.twitter.com/TBzVPFq5Qd
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 12, 2016
Raduljica played briefly in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves from 2013-2015, but now plays for Emporio Armani Milano of Lega Basket Serie A and the Euroleague.
Kevin Durant has lead Team USA in scoring this tournament with 18.3 points per game. That’s good for 5th among all Olympic players.
As a team, the USA squad has averaged 110 points per game. Team Australia is 2nd with 90.8 points per game. Only 5 of the 12 teams have even averaged over 80 points per game, which really contextualizes how potent this offensive attack has been for Team USA.
They’ll look to remain unblemished against Team Serbia, and put their close call against Team Australia far in their rear view mirror.