USA storms past Russia

10 Sep 2010, 8:02 am   -   Source: AFP
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Durant blocks a shot from Timofey Mozgov. (AP)

Durant blocks a shot from Timofey Mozgov. (AP)

The USA will meet Lithuania after both teams passed tough opponents to make the semi finals of the World Basketball Championship.

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Tournament favourites USA edged Russia 89-79 to reach the world basketball semi-finals on Thursday where they will meet Lithuania who stunned world number one Argentina 104-85.
  
Old foes Russia who were expected to test the US but a game-high 33 points from Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant made sure it was to be America's night.
  
The USA were tested early with the physical Russians matching them point for point throughout the first quarter to see scores tied at 25-25.
  
However their physical approach would end up proving to be to their downfall as they allowed the Americans to take 18 free throws in the first half, 14 of which were converted.
  
At the same time, USA allowed Russia just three free-throws of which they converted just one.
  
The US lifted the tempo in the second half as guard Russel Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder began running the Russians ragged.
  
The fast pace took its toll with Russian big man Andrey Vrontsevich forced off the court with cramp.
  
"Today was a very tough game for us. We played hard. Credit to the Russians for playing hard for 40 minutes," said Durant.
  
USA coach Mike Krzyzewski added: "Their coach David Blatt has had an amazing career coaching in Russia and the way his team played today shows the high quality of coaching he gives his players."
  
The next best contributors for the US after Durant's 33 points were captain Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets with 15 points and Westbrook with 12 points.
  
Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom led rebounding with 12.
  
The best of the Russians were Sergey Bykov with 17 points and Andrey Vorontsevich with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
  
Russian coach David Blatt was full of praise for his opposition following the game, admiring the way they have adapted their game to suit the world championships and Olympics basketball.
  
"They have recognised how to play the European game and still maintain elements of the American game," said Blatt.
  
In the tournament to date Lithuania had already been the surprise package.
  
Needing a wild-card entry just to get to Turkey after a disastrous 2009, the small Baltic nation went into the quarter-finals undefeated, including the scalp of world champions Spain.
  
They can now add beating world no.1 Argentina to their list of achievements.
  
Their victory came in destructive fashion exposing the weaknesses of their opposition when NBA star Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets had an off night with his shooting.
  
Scola came into the game averaging a tournament high 30.3 points a game but with Lithuania rendering him ineffective from early on, his team mates failed to step up.
  
Lithuania showed the benefits of a team game with seven players ending in double figures.
  
Simas Jasaitis was the best with 19 points. The other players to finish in double figures were Linas Kleiza with 17; Martynas Gecevicious and Tomas Delininkaitis both with 16; and Jonas Maciulis, Mantas Kalnietis and Paulius Jankulas all with 12 points.
  
Team member Martynas Pocious was quick to praise the effort of the whole team.
  
"There are a lot of emotions, a great great win for us. It was definitely a team effort. Seven guys were in double figures. I think that is amazing," he said.
  
"The key for us was starting the game strong because in other games we have found ourselves having to fight our way back from 10, 20 points down. Today we started strong and that was the difference for us."
  
 

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