Final, 96-66 USA: The United States has won its third consecutive gold medal in Olympic men’s basketball, and six of the last seven overall. Kevin Durant led the U.S. with 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
Fourth quarter, 2:01, 92-57 USA: It’s been that kind of game for Serbia.
Fourth quarter, 5:52, 88-47 USA:Â The U.S. has built its lead to a game-high 41 points. The largest margin of victory in a men’s basketball gold medal game at the Olympics is 48.
Fourth quarter, 7:01, 84-47 USA: Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green have made their first appearance off the bench as Team USA begins to sit its starters.
Fourth quarter, 8:44, 79-43 USA: Kevin Durant has come out of the game for the first time. He’s the game’s high scorer with 30 points.
End of third quarter, 79-43Â USA: The U.S. is on its way toward a third consecutive gold medal.
Third quarter, 4:09, 66-37 USA: The U.S. has outscored Serbia 53-21 since Serbia led 14-11 in the first quarter.
Third quarter, 4:47, 64-35 USA: Now it’s Klay Thompson heating up with another 3-pointer. He’s up to 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Thompson threw an alley-oop to DeAndre Jordan on the previous possession.
Third quarter, 7:00, 55-33 USA: Here’s an interesting stat, although Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes probably wouldn’t agree.
Third quarter, 9:35, 55-29 USA: Carmelo Anthony begins the second half with his first basket of the game.
End of first half, 52-29 USA
Second quarter, 0:45, 52-29 USA: Guess what? Kevin Durant hits another 3-pointer. He’s up to 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
Second quarter, 2:00, 45-27 USA: Kevin Durant attacks the basket and throws down a thunderous dunk. He’s now up to 19 points and still hasn’t yet come out of the game.
Serbia’s also struggling from beyond the arc.
Second quarter, 4:45, 40-22 USA: Kevin Durant hits another 3-pointer, this time from way downtown, and he now has a team-leading 17 points. He’s 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Second quarter, 5:51, 33-22 USA: Serbia entered this game leading the tournament in fouls, and it has committed 12 today. Serbian forward Nikola Kalinic already has four fouls.
Second quarter, 6:54, 33-20 USA: Two 3-point field goals and a transition dunk by Kevin Durant has given the U.S. its largest lead of the game. KD is feeling it right now.
Second quarter, 8:12, 25-15 USA: The U.S. is on a 12-4 run since Paul George and Kyle Lowry came off the bench.
Second quarter, 8:36, 23-15 USA: Good sign for Team USA.
Also of note, the U.S. has three steals and two blocks. Its defense has been very active, particularly in the paint against dribble penetration.
Second quarter, 9:38, 21-15 USA: A turnover leads to a transition dunk for Paul George to open the quarter. It was a good example of how the Americans’ superior athleticism can be used on both ends of the floor.
End of first quarter, 19-15 USA: Despite shooting 7 for 20, the Americans have a slim lead after the first 10 minutes.
First quarter, 0:35, 16-14 USA:Â An injury update for Team USA.
First quarter, 1:35, 14-14: Team USA is 5 of 17 shooting and 0 of 6 from beyond the arc. The Americans also have missed three free-throw attempts. This game should not be tied.
First quarter, 2:45, 14-12 Serbia: The U.S. is shooting 5 of 14 from the field. That’s not very good. Shot selection has been an issue as well.
First quarter, 5:00, 9-9: The Golden State duo is carrying the Americans so far.
First quarter, 5:45, 7-7: Three consecutive points (basket and a free throw) by Kevin Durant ties the game.
On an unrelated note, this is a good summary of Team USA’s play this Olympics.
First quarter, 6:45, 7-4 Serbia: The U.S. isn’t shooting well from the outside. Going inside against a softer, weaker Serbian frontline would be a good strategy.
First quarter, 9:10, 3-0 Serbia: Serbia opens the scoring with a 3-pointer.
First quarter, 10:00, 0-0: Team USA controls the opening tip and we’re underway.
2:44 p.m.: Here’s the USA starting lineup.
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kevin Durant
C: DeAndre Jordan
2:40 p.m.: Just a few minutes before tip-off.
2:20 p.m.: Some history is on the line for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving.
2 p.m. ET: The United States men’s Olympic basketball team plays Serbia on Sunday afternoon in the gold medal game of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. These teams most recently met in the preliminary round, with the U.S. winning 94-91.
Team USA has faced two very good teams in the knockout round so far, defeating Argentina and Spain in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
The U.S. men haven’t lost in the Olympics since Argentina beat them in the 2004 semifinals. Team USA has won two Olympic gold medals since that loss.
A victory for the United States would be its fifth men’s basketball gold medal since the 1992 Dream Team.
Keep it right here for score updates, highlights and analysis from the USA vs. Serbia gold medal game.
Thumbnail photo via Thomas B. Shea/USA TODAY Sports Images
