Classic Games: Durant puts exclamation mark on 2010 World Cup performance with 28 points in Final
COLORADO SPRINGS (USA) - Many a great has donned the USA jersey in international competition over the years. One of them is Kevin Durant.
The high-scoring forward left no doubt about that at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 in Istanbul, where he not only represented his country for the first time but did so in stunning fashion. He capped his incredible tournament with a masterclass performance in the Americans' 81-64 title triumph over Turkey and was named as the event's MVP.
As part of our Classic Games series, this amazing game will be streamed in full at 9PM CEST (GMT+2) on Thursday on FIBA's Facebook and YouTube channels.
Turkey, fresh off their 83-82 Semi-Final triumph over Serbia, hit the hardwood determined yet cognizant of the task in front of them. The Sinan Erdem Dome crowd had been electric during Turkey's knockout games and the players knew the fans would be vocal against the USA.
The United States had been tested in the 70-68 Group Phase victory over Brazil but they were convincing winners in their other games. They had beaten a good Lithuania team, 89-74, in the Semi-Final.
The title game was close, for a while. Derrick Rose scored on a tough drive for the USA and Durant showed off his baseline jumper before stepping outside and scoring from behind the arc. He would go on to hit 7 3-pointers in the game. Hedo Turkoglu played well for the hosts with one of his three-balls putting Turkey in front.
Durant led the way for the USA in their triumph over Turkey
The first half was all about the USA and especially Durant, who poured in 20 points before the break. The USA led 42-32 at half-time.
Durant made sure the USA picked up in the third quarter where they had left off in the second. He buried a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 13.
The Americans played liked the fast and furious and opened up a big lead, and a dazed Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic had no answers.
The USA finished Turkey off in spectacular fashion with Russell Westbrook deliver a perfect alley-oop pass to Andre Iguodala for a rim-rocking jam. They celebrated their first world title since 1994.
FIBA
