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Sports Utah Jazz

20 years ago: Mission accomplished for U.S.

By Deseret News
SHARE 20 years ago: Mission accomplished for U.S.
John Stockton, of the United States, urges his teammates on in the second half of gold medal basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. The Dream Team defeated Yugoslavia 95-69 for the gold medal

John Stockton, of the United States, urges his teammates on in the second half of gold medal basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. The Dream Team defeated Yugoslavia 95-69 for the gold medal in men’s basketball. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)

SUSAN RAGAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
1 of 5
Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) is sent flying by Hakeem Olajuwon (15) of the United States in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Eric Drape

Yugoslavia’s Vlade Divac (12) is sent flying by Hakeem Olajuwon (15) of the United States in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

ERIC DRAPER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
2 of 5
Reggie Miller (10) of the United States is caught by Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) as Yugoslavia's Predrag Danilovic (5) drives for the basket in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atl

Reggie Miller (10) of the United States is caught by Yugoslavia’s Vlade Divac (12) as Yugoslavia’s Predrag Danilovic (5) drives for the basket in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)

HANS DERYK, ASSOCIATED PRESS
3 of 5
Charles Barkley, center, of the United States, is guarded by Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) and Zarko Paspalj (8) in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996.

Charles Barkley, center, of the United States, is guarded by Yugoslavia’s Vlade Divac (12) and Zarko Paspalj (8) in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)

SUSAN RAGAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
4 of 5
Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) fights Hakeem Olajuwon (15) of the United States during second half of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

Yugoslavia’s Vlade Divac (12) fights Hakeem Olajuwon (15) of the United States during second half of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

ERIC DRAPER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
5 of 5
John Stockton, of the United States, urges his teammates on in the second half of gold medal basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. The Dream Team defeated Yugoslavia 95-69 for the gold medal
Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) is sent flying by Hakeem Olajuwon (15) of the United States in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Eric Drape
Reggie Miller (10) of the United States is caught by Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) as Yugoslavia's Predrag Danilovic (5) drives for the basket in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atl
Charles Barkley, center, of the United States, is guarded by Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) and Zarko Paspalj (8) in the first half of the gold medal game of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996.
Yugoslavia's Vlade Divac (12) fights Hakeem Olajuwon (15) of the United States during second half of basketball competition at the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta Saturday, August 3, 1996. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)

Editor's note: Every Sunday, the Deseret News takes a quick look back into our archives.

The Dream Team led by a single point with 14 minutes left in the gold-medal game but avoided embarrassment with a 95-69 victory.

The game turned after Vlade Divac picked up his fifth foul and Yugoslavia couldn't protect the inside. David Robinson took charge, scoring nine straight points as the United States pulled away, surpassing Michael Jordan to become the career scoring leader for the Americans.

John Stockton dribbled out the final 25 seconds as the Dream Team quietly celebrated.

"We won the gold medal and that is what matters," Karl Malone said.

Read the story here

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