Team USA will be heading to the men’s basketball semifinals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!
On Tuesday (August 3), Team USA played a fierce game against Spain in the basketball quarterfinals. For the first two quarters, the lead was continuously interchangeable between the two teams. Kevin Durant and Ricky Rubio were responsible for most of their respective team’s points at the start of the game. By the end of the first half, they tied up at 43-43.
In the second half, Team USA took the lead for a majority of the time. Durant scored a heaping amount of three-pointers. In the final stretch, Spain did everything they could to take the lead. However, it wasn’t enough to win the game, as Team USA won with a score of 95-81.
Durant was a standout player for the U.S. — earning a total of 29 points for the team. On the win, he said, “We’ve got to finish it. We’re supposed to be here. For us it’s about getting the gold.”
He also spoke about the team as a whole saying, “We’re in a good spot right now. Guys are starting to understand their roles and just getting comfortable within the team. In this setting, it’s always hard to get your footing as an individual player. You don’t want to step on toes.”
It's always a battle. The highest level of competition each & every time we meet.
Thank you for another game for the ages @BaloncestoESP. It's all respect 🇪🇸🙌 pic.twitter.com/UsSzAv4yEi
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 3, 2021
According to CBS News, Spain has been one of USA’s major rivals during the games. This game was also the final Olympic game for two of the team’s key players, Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol.
On the decision to leave, Marc said, “It is time to get off the rollercoaster that we went on many years ago. We have had great luck, but it is time to let the new generation get on, enjoy themselves and have their own experience.”
Pau, who is known as “the best player in Spain’s history,” reflected on his many years playing for the team at the games. He said, “I’m very proud of the team and I’m grateful to be here again after what I’ve been through, and that’s already a great success. It has been a lot of work alone, many ups and downs, a lot of uncertainty, but at the same time happiness.”
Team USA will go up against Australia at the semifinals on Thursday (August 5). Australia won against Argentina on Tuesday (August 3) with a score of 97-59.
Do you think Team USA will win the gold for basketball? Let us know by leaving a reaction down below or sending us a tweet @celebsecrets!
