In their final Olympic tune-up games, the United States Men's National Basketball Team faced unexpected challenges, narrowly escaping with victories over South Sudan and Germany. As they gear up for their matchup against Serbia in the Paris Olympics 2024, Team USA is determined to improve their performance.

Head coach Steve Kerr expressed his concerns after the close game against Germany, acknowledging the need for the team to step up and play better on both ends of the court. However, there is some positive news for Team USA as they will have Kevin Durant, their all-time leading scorer in the Olympics, available for the matchup. Durant had been sidelined with a strained calf but recently participated in the team scrimmage, giving hope for his return to top form.

Serbia, coming off a second-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, presents a strong challenge for Team USA. Despite missing key players like Nikola Jokic, Serbia's team captain, and his supporting cast, including Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nikola Milutinov, in their recent friendly match against Team USA, they are expected to have a new-look supporting cast ready to assist Jokic.

Jokic, a three-time regular season MVP and the 2023 Finals MVP, will be playing in his second Olympic Games. In his last international tournament, the 2022 EuroBasket, he showcased his skills by averaging an impressive 21.7 points, 10 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 66.2 percent from the field.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, a seasoned NBA player with career averages of 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, will also be a key player for Serbia. He led Serbia to a second-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game.

Team USA will need to be prepared to face a formidable Serbian squad that includes players with NBA experience, such as Jokic, Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, Vasilije Micic, Marko Guduric, and Filip Petrusev. Although Serbia didn't have their full roster in their recent friendly against Team USA, their performance in the FIBA World Cup shows their potential to compete at the highest level.

As the highly anticipated matchup approaches, both teams are focused on making their mark on the Olympic stage. Team USA aims to improve their performances and showcase their talent, while Serbia looks to challenge the reigning Olympic champions and make their mark in Paris. The stage is set for an exciting battle between these two powerhouse basketball nations.