Team USA survives scare, advances to gold medal game

Americans face Australia in the final

The United States men's basketball team survived a first-half scare vs Australia in the first Olympic semifinal on Thursday, turning a 15-point deficit into a 97-78 victory. Team USA will face Australia again in the gold medal game on Saturday (12:15 a.m. ET, Peacock). The United States trailed 41-26 late in the second quarter before closing the half on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 43-39. The Americans took the lead for good midway through the third quarter and led by as many as 21 in the fourth. Kevin Durant led the way for Team USA with 23 points, while Jayson Tatum added 20 and Damian Lillard scored 15. Patty Mills led Australia with 15 points, while Josh Green added 14 and Matisse Thybulle scored 12. The United States is now 8-0 in the Olympics and will be looking to win its fourth straight gold medal. Australia is 6-2 and will be playing for its first gold medal since 1988.