Stephen Curry scores 24 in USA’s 105-79 victory over Serbia

In a commanding performance, Stephen Curry win 24 factors to guide Team USA to a decisive 105-79 victory over Serbia. Stephen Curry was notably quiet on offense in the US Guys’s basketball group’s first two exhibition games before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However with his official Olympic debut less than two weeks away he became much more assertive on Wednesday. Curry win 24 points Bam Adebayo added 17 and the US victory over Nikola Jokic’s Serbia 105-79 improving to 3-0 in their five game exhibition series ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Anthony Davis contributed seven points six rebounds and six blocks leading the U.S. defensive effort that stifled Serbia. Anthony Edwards scored 16 points and LeBron James added 11.

The U.S. led by as many as 31 points in their final warm up game in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The team now heads to London for two more tune ups before heading to France. They will play South Sudan on Saturday and then Germany on Monday at the O2 Arena.

The U.S. had an uneven start but used a 16-2 run in the second quarter to take a 56-42 lead and went into halftime up 59-45.

Jokic scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Serbia while Aleksa Avramovic added 14 points. Serbia playing its second game in two days had just come off a loss to Australia on Tuesday where they rested captain Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Wednesday’s game was a crucial preview for both the Serbians and the U.S. As they will compete in Group C at the Olympics. They begin their quests for gold against each other on July 28.

Finishing Strong

After nearly losing a substantial lead in their close win over Australia on Monday the U.S. avoided any such letdown this time. The Americans held a 25 point lead after three quarters and quickly extended it to 30 in the final quarter.

Lineup shuffled

The U.S. employed its third starting lineup featuring Curry, James, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid. Throughout the three exhibitions Curry, James and Embiid have been constants.

Embiid’s inclusion in the roster aims to counter larger teams like Serbia, which boasts a trio of 7 footers. Embiid’s conditioning isn’t yet optimal but he was active on both offense finding cutters. And defense serving as a strong presence in the lane.

Players who shift the energy of the game

In the second game in a row the U.S. bench players made a difference. Edwards, Davis, Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker came into the game with 4:54 left in the first quarter with the U.S. trailing 16-13.

From there the U.S. scored 15 points while Serbia got 12 tying the game at 28 by the end of the first quarter. The American bench scored 28 points in the first half.

Durant is still absent

Kevin Durant missed his third consecutive game. As he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered early in training camp. However guard Derrick White made his debut after joining the team over the weekend replacing Kawhi Leonard.