During the Entrance Ceremony, the players from both teams were introduced one after another, then met at center court for the pregame handshake.
The players from both sides walked face-to-face to midcourt and shook hands.
At that moment, something amusing happened. Durant happened to be standing opposite Tang Tian, and when he shook Tang Tian's hand, he secretly applied force, hoping to gain a little advantage.
Tang Tian felt it and responded with even more force. Durant grimaced in pain.
When Tang Tian let go, Durant's gaze shifted away, and he finally snorted coldly.
He had suffered a loss for nothing.
But this little detail also showed that this game was not merely between China and the United States. There would be even more drama between Tang Tian and Durant than in the Group Stage.
After the Entrance Ceremony ended, the starting players from both teams took the court.
The USA Team had the same lineup as in the Group Stage: Irving and Butler on the perimeter, Durant and Anthony at forward, and Jordan at center.
The China Team had made a change, with Guo Ailun replacing Zhao Jiwei as the Starting Point Guard.
The change came rather suddenly. Zhao Jiwei had started alongside Tang Tian ever since the Olympics began, and the results had been quite good.
Coach K had clearly not expected the China Team to make this adjustment, but he did not pay much attention to it.
Other than Tang Tian and Yi Jianlian, there was not much strength gap among the rest of the China Team's players. It would not have much impact on the game.
Amid the cheers of the on-site fans, Jordan tipped the ball back into the USA Team's half, officially opening the curtain on the Olympic final.
Jordan established position under the