Dream Team tears Brazil apart with a magic show
NBA stars continue to march effortlessly through the Olympic tournament. Against Brazil, it's already clear at halftime. Kevin Durant breaks a special record. Meanwhile, the French cause a big surprise.
The USA basketball team has easily advanced to the quarterfinals at the Olympics. The top favorite won in Paris against Brazil with ease, 122:87 (63:36), never facing any serious challenge. The stars played magical basketball at times. Just before halftime, LeBron James scored an alley-oop after a throw-in. There were loud crashes and the ball circulated so fast that it made viewers dizzy.
Eight minutes before the end, Kevin Durant broke the 100-point mark. The 35-year-old from the Phoenix Suns is now the best US scorer in Olympic history. Durant has already participated in the Olympics in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
The best scorer in coach Steve Kerr's team was Devin Booker with 18 points. In the semifinals, the NBA stars led by LeBron James and Durant will face Serbia with superstar Nikola Jokic, who beat Australia 95:90 in overtime. In the second semifinal, Germany and France will play against each other. After the world champion beat Greece 76:63 in the first quarterfinal, France surprisingly beat NBA-star-studded Canada 82:73.
Despite a weak performance by wonderkid Victor Wembanyama with only seven points, the previously disappointing French team made the second encounter with Germany at this tournament perfect. Thanks to strong performances by Guerschon Yabusele (22) and Isaia Cordinier (20), there was an upset. In the final minutes, fans were already singing the national anthem loudly. Wembanyama has declared gold as the target for the hosts, despite the star-studded US team led by LeBron James.
In the preliminary round in Lille, the German team had beaten the French 85:71. "I expect a much closer game this time," said Herbert. The two nations have already met twice in the Olympic preparations, with each team winning once. "It will be the fourth time we play against each other in the last four weeks," added Herbert: "We know each other very well."
The Olympic Games 2024 in Paris is eagerly anticipated, with the host nation showing promising signs in their current run. Following their upset win over Canada, France will face Germany in the semifinals, potentially setting the stage for a historic moment.
In the ongoing Olympic tournament, the US basketball team, led by stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, continues to impress, with Durant setting new records and securing his place as the best US scorer in Olympic history.
