Durant carries U.S. into semis; Lithuania crushes Argentina

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09/09/2010 - Istanbul, Turkey (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Durant poured in 33 points on 11- of-19 shooting, helping the United Stated grind out an 89-79 victory over Russia in the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Russell Westbrook was a spark off the bench with 12 points, seven in a third quarter that saw the Americans extend a five-point halftime lead to 14 going into the fourth.

Chauncey Billups scored 15 thanks to a 4-of-8 showing behind the arc for the U.S., which next plays Saturday against Lithuania, a thorough 104-85 winner over Argentina on Thursday.

Russia, which had a healthy height advantage, was led by Sergey Bykov's 17- point effort. Andrey Vorontsevich logged 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Timofey Mozgov, signed by the Knicks in July, scored 13 in defeat.

The game marked the 38th anniversary of the Soviet Union's controversial win over the Americans in the gold-medal showdown at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

A back-and-forth first stanza ended 25-25, and the Americans found themselves trailing 35-30 midway through the second before finally solving Russia's zone during a 14-4 run to end the half.

The heavy favorites pulled away in the third, as Westbrook capped an 8-3 run with a steal and fastbreak dunk for a 58-47 cushion with 4 1/2 minutes left.

Bykov converted a three-point play out of a Russia timeout, but Westbrook again went to work, hitting a three and finishing off another turnover with a slam for a 13-point edge.

Tyson Chandler's late bucket made it a 70-56 game with one quarter to play, and the closest the Russians got down the stretch was 84-72 with under four minutes to go. A Durant jumper and three-point play on consecutive possessions put the margin out of reach.

While the opener was closely contested, Lithuania was never seriously threatened in its quarterfinal, jumping out to a 50-30 halftime lead and never looking back to advance to the semis in convincing fashion.

Seven Lithuanians finished in double-figures, including the Toronto Raptors' Linas Kleiza, who dropped in 17 points to go with nine rebounds in the blowout.

Simas Jasaitis and Martynas Pocius netted 19 and 16 points, respectively, while Mantas Kalnietis, Paulius Jankunas and Jonas Maciulis each had 12 for Lithuania, which shot 12-of-24 from long distance to stay undefeated in the event.

The Milwaukee Bucks' Carlos Delfino paced Argentina with 25 points, while Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola had 13 points and a woeful 5-of-16 shooting effort in the debilitating loss.

Turkey and Serbia, which knocked out defending champion Spain, will square off in the other semifinal on Saturday.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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