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Durant, who in these Games surpassed Carmelo Anthony as the
United States' highest career scorer, led with 29 points in the
87-82 victory at the Saitama Super Arena.
"You realise, you know, you finished the job, you get the gold
medal, you get the trophy, but when you go through that journey,
it's just incredible to be a part of something so special," said
the Brooklyn Nets star who has now won three Olympic gold
medals.
"I'm bonded to these guys for life," he said.
The U.S. team had been slow to start in previous matches, but
they kept the heat on France consistently this time. But it was
18 turnovers that proved to be the killer for France.
"Details cost us the game for sure," said French team captain
Nicolas Batum. "You can't turnover that much against that type
of team."
The championship attracted the biggest crowd yet in these Games
to the arena north of Tokyo, with the bottom bowl of seats about
half full of athletes, officials, media and volunteers in place
of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.
France earned their third Olympic silver medal in men's
basketball. Slovenia, making their debut at the Games, will play
Australia in the bronze medal match later on Saturday.
The U.S. men have historically been the team to beat, with 15
gold medals since 1936 going into these Games. This championship
marks their fourth straight gold medal.
But this year's team proved to be vulnerable, dropping
two-straight exhibition games in July and suffering a shock
83-76 defeat to France in the preliminary round of the Games,
which was their first defeat
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/
sports/basketball-czech-republic-beat-iran-basketball-begins-tokyo-2021-07-25
on the Olympic stage since 2004.
"The first time we played together as a whole roster was France
and lost to them," said Jrue Holiday, who had 11 points for the
United States. "So we just felt like it was only right to meet
them in gold and to get our win back."
In the women's bronze medal match, France beat Serbia 91-76.
Gabby Williams led the French team with 17 points as the nation
claimed its first medal since winning silver in 2012.
France were beaten in the semifinals by Japan, who go on to
challenge the U.S. women for gold on Sunday.
Slovenia will meet Australia for the men's bronze medal game on
Saturday.
(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Michael
Perry)
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