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The United States men's basketball team survived their first real test of the tournament on Wednesday, as they eked out a 98-88 win over the Australia. On Friday, Carmelo Anthony and company are in for a tough contest when they take on Serbia at 6:00 a.m US EST.
USA vs. Serbia at 6:00 p.m US EST - Live Stream / Replay & Boxscore Stats:
What's at stake: there's plenty at stake for the US Team heading into a highly-physical battle Serbia, the same team they defeated to take the FIBA World Cup in Spain two years ago.
While the Australia indeed pushed them to the brink of defeat, this Serbian team is more than capable of giving USA a run for their money. Milos Teodosic, considered by many as the best playmaker not playing in the NBA, is a big reason why Serbia enters the scene as another potential giant-slayer.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is another guy on the Serbian squad that could give USA problems, particularly on that shaded lane. It's interesting how Serbia will capitalize on their size advantage after Australia already exposed USA's weakness in the interior.
Then again, there's a reason why USA remains undefeated up to this point. This is a very well-coached ball club under the tutelage of Mike Krzyzewski and they will find a way to grind out a victory when the push comes to shove.
Anthony, who dropped 31 points against the Aussies, will continue to carry that mantle as the leader of the team alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. If USA wants to secure the top spot of Group A, they have to overcome the challenge presented to them by Serbia and then France on the final day of preliminary stages.
Prediction: This is going to be a close call for the Americans, but my money are on them. USA winning by single digits, 78-70.
France vs. Venezuela at 9:15 p.m US EST - Live Stream / Replay & Boxscore
France gained their first winning streak of the tournament following Tony Parker's game-winning jumper against Serbia on Wednesday. France, who is tabbed among the favorites to medal in this event, is expected to cruise past Venezuela, whose lone victory came at the expense of China.
Prediction: Tony Parker and Nicolas Batum putting up big numbers to carry Le Blues to their third win and a spot in the quarterfinals.
