Team USA Wins Third Straight Olympic Gold Beating Serbia In Rio

Durant put up 30, most of those points coming in JUST THE FIRST HALF.
Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

By Steve Keating

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A ruthless United States pounded Serbia 96-66 to claim a third straight Olympic men’s basketball title on Sunday to give coach Mike Krzyzewski a golden send-off.

After scrapping to a tense three point win over Serbia in the group round, the United States quickly removed any suspense from the rematch, surging to a 52-29 halftime lead then cruising to their 25th straight win on Olympic hardwood.

Kevin Durant led the assault, pouring in 30 points including 24 in a brilliant opening half, while DeMarcus Cousins was again a beast on the boards, pulling down 15 rebounds.

POOL New / Reuters

The rout capped a brilliant tenure as Team USA head coach for Krzyzewski, who signs off having guided the U.S. to three consecutive Olympic gold medals and a near perfect 88-1 record in international competition.

The only blemish on the resume of ‘Coach K’, as Krzyzewski is known to many, is a semi-final loss to Greece at the 2006 world championships.

Earlier, Spain edged Australia 89-88 to take home the bronze.

Gold medallists forward Jimmy Butler, guard Kevin Durant, center DeAndre Jordan, guard Kyle Lowry, forward Harrison Barnes, guard Demar Derozan, guard Kyrie Irving, centre DeMarcus Cousins, guard Paul George, forward Draymond Green and forward Carmelo Anthony pose after the final.
Gold medallists forward Jimmy Butler, guard Kevin Durant, center DeAndre Jordan, guard Kyle Lowry, forward Harrison Barnes, guard Demar Derozan, guard Kyrie Irving, centre DeMarcus Cousins, guard Paul George, forward Draymond Green and forward Carmelo Anthony pose after the final.
EMMANUEL DUNAND via Getty Images

(Editing by Bill Rigby)

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