This dream is still alive.
The United States rallied furiously in the fourth quarter in the Paris Olympics semifinals, earning a 95-91 victory over Serbia to advance to the gold medal game, where they will face host nation France on Saturday at Bercy Arena .
Many considered this team, with the best talent pool the NBA could offer, a second Dream Team, following the legendary 1992 squad that helped globalize the game. The impact of that growth nearly shocked the United States again, as Serbia, led by four NBA players including three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic, held an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter.
But the Americans responded with a 17-6 run. Stephen Curry’s 3-pointer went off and he let out a scream as the United States jumped ahead by one with 2:24 remaining. At the final horn, Curry jumped into the air and raised his fist. He jumped on LeBron James, who had thrown the ball into the air. James grabbed Curry’s face with both hands and pressed their foreheads together.
Curry had a game-high 36 points and James had 16, with 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Serbia lost to the United States by 26 points in two other games last month. The Americans defeated opponents by an average of 24.8 points during the Olympics, but trailed by 11 at halftime. Serbia rained three-pointers, hitting 10 of their first 19 shots from beyond the arc. The United States wasn’t far behind statistically, making nine of 19 three-point attempts, but six of the baskets came from Curry alone.
Curry scored 14 of the United States’ first 15 points, making his first four shots with ease. His shot was so successful that he shot from the corner and turned around before even reaching the top of his flight. His teammates jumped from their seats and punched him in the chest as the ball went through the net.
While the Golden State Warriors star scored 20 points on 70% shooting, his teammates combined to make eight of 21 shots.
Two days after becoming the all-time leading Olympic scorer in US basketball history, Kevin Durant was held scoreless in the first half. He only tried one shot.
Durant didn’t score his first points until eight seconds remained in the third quarter. The United States still lost by 13.
It was a Durant three-pointer with 7:19 left that sparked the U.S. comeback. He made the shot despite hitting Anthony Davis, who was fouled by Jokic. On the inbounds play, Devin Booker hit a three. The lead went from 11 to five in two seconds.
James tied the score at 84-84 with 3:41 remaining with a layup.
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
