As Devin Booker put it throughout his postgame interview on Peacock, Thursday’s Olympic semifinal contest between the U.S. males’s basketball crew and Australia was a “story of two halves.”

After falling behind by as many as 15 factors within the second quarter and trailing by three at halftime, Group USA clobbered Australia within the third quarter and cruised to a 97-78 victory, securing a spot within the gold-medal recreation. The Individuals outscored the Australians 32-10 within the third interval, suffocating the opposition with unbelievable defensive depth.

“Guarding, that is what it comes right down to,” stated Booker, who had 20 factors and completed a team-high plus-30 within the win. “That is what we talked about within the locker room. Offense goes to come. We have now lots of gifted guys out right here, however now we have to be on the identical web page on protection.”

Kevin Durant put collectively one other terrific all-around efficiency, totaling 23 factors, 9 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Jrue Vacation continued what has been a powerful match run with a close to triple-double towards the Australians (11 factors, eight rebounds, eight assists).

Group USA will face the winner of the France-Slovenia recreation within the Olympic last.

Sporting Information offered reside updates and highlights from the U.S. males’s basketball crew’s Olympic recreation towards Australia. Take a look at all of the highlights you missed proper right here.

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USA vs. Australia rating

USA vs. Australia reside updates, highlights from 2021 Olympics

(All occasions Jap)

Last: USA 97, Australia 78

1:55 a.m. — And that is a wrap. Group USA is heading to the gold-medal recreation.

1:50 a.m. — With 4 minutes left in regulation and Group USA up by 20 factors, Australia seems to be falling by the wayside. Patty Mills and Joe Ingles are strolling to the bench.

1:40 a.m. — Group USA is simply rolling now.

Finish of third quarter: USA 74, Australia 55

1:35 a.m. — Zach LaVine places an exclamation level on an unbelievable quarter for Group USA. The Individuals outscored the Australians 32-10 within the third interval. Wow.

1:30 a.m. — Jrue Vacation has been completely terrific on this contest. He is acquired 11 factors, seven assists and 5 rebounds.

1:25 a.m. — Give Kevin Durant the ball and get out of the way in which.

1:20 a.m. — Kevin Durant drills the midrange jumper, plus the free throw. Group USA begins the third quarter on a 7-0 run.

Halftime: Australia 45, USA 42

1 a.m. — Group USA chops down the deficit with a 14-4 run to finish the half. The Individuals are fortunate to solely be down three heading into the locker room.

12:55 a.m. — After 10 consecutive misses, Devin Booker drains Group USA’s first 3-pointer of the sport.

12:50 a.m. — Oh my. Group USA is down 15 factors halfway by means of the second quarter. The Australians are simply outplaying the Individuals on each ends of the ground.

12:40 a.m. — Chris Goulding is heating up off the bench for Australia. He is acquired eight factors in lower than 5 minutes of motion.

Horrible, depressing transition protection. No person picks up the ball, will get proper into the paint and Goulding hits his second three in a row. U.S must determine this out fast. pic.twitter.com/T1gjFSWraO

— Rayan ريان (@rayanelamine15) August 5, 2021

Finish of first quarter: Australia 24, USA 18

12:35 a.m. — Kevin Durant has eight of Group USA’s first 16 factors.

12:25 a.m. — Each groups are struggling offensively within the opening minutes. Group USA and Australia have shot a mixed 4 of 15 from the sector.

12:20 a.m. — Joe Ingles comes out firing, hitting his first two 3-point makes an attempt.

12:15 a.m. — The starters for every crew…

• USA: Damian Lillard, Jrue Vacation, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo
• Australia: Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Nick Kay

The best way to watch USA Olympic basketball video games

• Time: 12:15 a.m. ET | 9:15 p.m. PT
• TV channel: N/A reside on cable
• Dwell stream: Peacock

The USA vs. Australia males’s basketball recreation will not be broadcast reside on cable tv. Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, is the one place to observe the reside motion at 12:15 a.m. ET on Thursday. NBCSN is scheduled to air a replay of the 2021 Olympic semifinals at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Males’s Olympic basketball schedule 2021

(All occasions Jap)

Aug. 5

Aug. 6

Aug. 7