USA 82, Spain 76
The United States didn’t play their best game by any means – Carmelo Anthony was 2-for-11 from the field and DeMarcus Cousins fouled out with just two points – but they were good enough to get by Spain, who couldn’t seem to seize the opportunity.
Pau Gasol was excellent as usual, scoring a game-high 23 points and snatching a team-best eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for Spain to advance to the gold medal game. Instead, the USA will face Serbia on Sunday, seeking their third straight gold medal.
NBA Watch
United States
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors): 22 points (8-for-16 FG), 4 3-pointers
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers): 9 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks
Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors): 14 points, 8 rebounds
Spain
Pau Gasol (San Antonio Spurs): Game-high 23 points, 8 rebounds
Sergio Rodriguez (Philadelphia 76ers): 11 points, game-high 5 assists
Nikola Mirotic (Chicago Bulls): 7 points, 5 rebounds
Willy Hernangomez (New York Knicks): 4 points, 6 rebounds in 11 minutes
Serbia 87, Australia 61
This one was never really close, as Serbia led Australia by 11 points after 10 minutes and 21 at the half. Australia’s offense just couldn’t get going, mustering just five points in the first quarter and nine in the second.
Serbia will now face the United States in the gold medal game while Australia battles Serbia for the bronze. While Serbia will look to contain the heavily favored US attack, Australia will send Andrew Bogut out there to battle with Pau Gasol in the post.
NBA Watch
Serbia
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): 9 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals
Bogdan Bogdanovic (Phoenix Suns): 6 points, 6 rebounds
Australia
Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs): 13 points (6-for-16 FG)
Joe Ingles (Utah Jazz): 12 points, 7 rebounds (5-for-10 FG)
Aron Baynes (Detroit Pistons): 7 points, 8 rebounds
Matthew Dellavedova (Milwaukee Bucks): 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
