Kevin Durant passed LeBron James for second on USA’s Olympic scoring list

Krzyzewski will be coaching his final game for the USA, set to be replaced by Gregg Popovich after Rio.

The U.S. advanced to its third straight gold-medal game, beating Spain 82-76 on Friday in another tight matchup between the teams that met in the last two championship games.

After posting 95 points on Serbia in preliminary play, Australia finished the semifinal’s first half with 14.

United States’ Klay Thompson (11) celebrates with teammates after a semifinal round basketball game against Spain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016.

“His activity sometimes didn’t translate in the stats”, Krzyzewski said, “but it translated into disruptive play or taking away from the continuity that Spain normally has”.

Former NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant singled out Jordan’s role by saying “DJ was great with 16 rebounds and we are going to need that in the next game”. And while that’s somewhat true, the fact that this “team” still hasn’t come together to form a team is its biggest weakness – a potentially fatal one. Kylie Neushel led the attack with three goals for the USA, while Rachel Fattal and Mackenzie Fischer scored two each.

In a long series of wins, Gwen Jorgensen’s Olympic gold will stand out.

“I feel like I’ve known these guys my whole career”, Jordan said.

Dellavedova is second in assists at 6.9 per game, while Andrew Bogut (10.3 points) and Aron Baynes (10.1 points) are also averaging in double figures.

Spain shot just 39% from the field, and USA center DeAndre Jordan was the definition of a rim protector with four blocked shots and 16 rebounds.

The U.S., which has struggled at times defensively in Rio, tightened its defense in the quarterfinals against France and was even better against Spain. But his combination of size and athleticism can overwhelm smaller, more ground-bound opponents. “I don’t think they’re playing as well as other times they have played”, Gasol said.

Taurasi? Well, she’s considered one of the best women to have ever picked up a basketball.

It’s been quite a run for this edition of the US women’s basketball dynasty.

The Americans were far off their usual offensive play, shooting only 42 percent for the game and complaining about a wet ball in the first half.

More significantly, Serbia gave the unbeaten United States (7-0) their biggest scare in Rio, battling the Americans right down to the final buzzer in a Group A clash before falling TO 94-91.

The Americans finally built a comfortable lead when they opened the fourth quarter with six consecutive points to go ahead 72-57. Watching Andrew Bogut’s brilliant Rio run stutter into a four-point flop was also jarring.

For a stretch toward the end of the first half it appeared the game could descend into chaos, as the referees handed out a whopping five technical fouls to players from both teams. One of them, on Durant, gave him a third foul, as technicals also count as personal fouls in global play.

Even though this is a final and Spain should stand up more than they have done, the quarter-final and semi-final factor didn’t seem to affect the US as they demolished Japan by 46 and France by 19, but even then they led from start to finish and unlike their male counterparts weren’t challenged at any point. “But this is a final you have to see, you have play and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy”.

Endy Miyem led France with 18 points, three rebounds and two assists.