The United States overwhelmed hosts France to win a fifth successive gold medal in Paris, maintaining their grip on the Olympic men’s basketball title.
Led by NBA icons LeBron James and Stephen Curry, a star-studded American team proved too much to win France 98-87 at Bercy Arena.
In a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics final three years ago, France refused to roll over in front of almost 20,000 vociferous fans.
The hosts sliced a 14-point deficit to move back within three points at 82-79 with the clock ticking down in the final quarter.
But Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry drilled a three-pointer and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant nailed two free throws and the United States relentlessly powered to the finish.
Curry finished with eight three-pointers and led the US scoring with 24 points.
Durant and Devin Booker added 15 apiece and James scored 14 with six rebounds, 10 assists a steal and a block.
For Durant it was a record fourth Olympic gold. James earned his third and Curry, a four-time NBA champion, claimed his first in his first Olympic appearance.
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