On August 10th, the men’s basketball final at the Olympics will see the U.S. men’s team face off against the host nation, the French men’s team.
The U.S. men’s team is aiming for their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, while the French men’s team seeks to leverage their home court advantage to avenge a defeat from three years ago and win their first-ever championship.
In their previous five games, the U.S. men’s team won four by large margins, but faced significant challenges in the semi-final. Against Serbia, led by Jokic, whom they had previously defeated by 26 points in the group stage, the U.S. team once trailed by 17 points in the semi-final. It was only in the final quarter that the U.S. team managed to turn the game around with outstanding performances by Embiid, James, and Curry. This was one of the toughest challenges the U.S. men’s team has faced in recent Olympic competitions, nearly being dethroned.
Meanwhile, the French men’s team’s performance has been somewhat inconsistent. In the group stage, France narrowly avoided losing to Japan and was defeated by Germany. However, when they met Germany again in the semi-final, France’s excellent defense limited Germany’s top star Schroeder to just 6 out of 18 shooting, and Wagner Jr. to 4 out of 10. Although Wenban only scored 4 out of 17, his defensive performance was exemplary. Ultimately, the French men’s team edged out a 73-69 victory, advancing to the finals once more.
Thus, the Tokyo Olympics final matchup is replayed in Paris. Three years ago in Tokyo, the U.S. men’s team defeated France 87-82 to achieve their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Three years on, the U.S. men’s team is even more formidable. Led by James, Durant, and Curry, this U.S. men’s team is arguably the strongest national team on the planet. The French team has also added a prodigy like Wenban to its roster, ensuring an exciting match. From a player perspective, the ongoing saga between Embiid and France, whether Tatum will play, and whether Wenban’s offense can revive are all key points to watch in the game.
From a strength standpoint, the U.S. men’s team holds an absolute advantage. Coach Kerr has also stated that Durant will start in the final. However, the French team benefits from home court advantage, be it from the cheering of the crowd or the favor of the referees, giving them an edge. Therefore, the outcome of this game still carries some uncertainty.
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