PARIS — They scored six points in two seconds. And with one stroke of the pen, when they were in danger, the United States turned things around.
Stephen Curry scored 36 points, including a three-pointer that gave them the lead with 2:16 left, and the Americans will go for gold at the Paris Games after beating Serbia 95-91 on Thursday.
The United States trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half and went into the break with an 11-point deficit — the largest the team has been able to overcome since it began calling up NBA stars in 1992.
Serbia led by 11 with 7:19 on the clock. The rest was all USA.
The final will be between the United States and host France on Saturday night, with Serbia playing Germany for bronze.
The game turned completely around in the fourth quarter in a crazy sequence in which the United States scored six points in two seconds.
Kevin Durant hit a three-pointer at the same time that teammate Anthony Davis was fouled. The United States received another possession and Devin Booker — after receiving the pass — hit another three-pointer.
In the blink of an eye, what was once a 78-67 lead for Serbia became 78-73.
The comeback was underway and Curry’s three-pointer put the United States ahead for good. He also sank a pair of free throws with 8.2 seconds left and the United States finally breathed a sigh of relief.
