12 Sep 2010

Turkey pip Serbia to reach final of basketball world champs

9:38 am on 12 September 2010

Semih Erden's block on Novica Velickovic's last-second shot handed Turkey a famous 83-82 victory over Serbia and a place in Monday's world basketball championship final where they'll face the USA.

Carried on the support of delirious sell-out crowds in every game they have played to date, Turkey needed more than just that to get past a talented young Serbian side who took a 63-60 lead into the final quarter.

Earlier, NBA star Kevin Durant scored 38 points as the United States defeated Lithuania 89-74 to reach the final.

The 21-year-old Durant, the NBA's best young player last season as well as finishing the campaign as the top scorer, is averaging 22.2 points at the world championships in eight games.

He is widely-tipped to be named the tournament's Most Valuable Player when the event finishes on Monday.