Durant on a mission with 38 in rout of Lithuania

ISTANBUL - Kevin Durant is unlike most of America's biggest basketball stars. He couldn't wait to wear the red, white and blue this summer.

Especially on Sept. 11.

With a special memorial message on his sneakers, Durant carried the United States into the gold-medal game at the world championship, scoring a U.S.-record 38 points yesterday in an 89-74 victory over Lithuania. "I just wanted to remember everybody back in the States, everybody that was affected by 9/11," Durant said. "And to play on this day was a great honor and we just tried to do our best to play hard for our country and our families."

Durant soared over defenders or stepped away from them for three-pointers, scoring 17 in the first quarter to stake the Americans to an early lead that was never seriously challenged.

He went on to surpass Carmelo Anthony's single-game record of 35 points and raise his average in the tournament to 22.1, which would be the best ever by a U.S. player.

"I've seen him score 45, 35, back to back," guard and NBA teammate Russell Westbrook said. "It doesn't surprise me at all what he's been doing."

Durant guaranteed the Americans a chance at their first world title since 1994. They will play today against Turkey, which beat Serbia, 83-82, in the other semifinal when Semih Erden blocked Novica Velickovic's open layup with half a second left.

Durant posted a message on his Twitter page yesterday that read: "May God bless those who were affected by the events on Sept 11, 2001 . . . 9-11-01 on my shoes tonight . . . you guys will watch over us.."

Then he went out and dominated the first quarter, shooting at the basket in front of section 324, which was completely awash in Lithuania green and filled with fans banging drums and waving flags.

Lamar Odom had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Andre Iguodala led the defensive effort that took Lithuania star Linas Kleiza right out of the game.

"They did a great job on our leader, Linas Kleiza. We couldn't find a solution on their star Kevin Durant," Lithuania coach Kestutis Kemzura said. "He was unstoppable today."

The teams met last month in an exhibition game in Madrid, and the United States shot just 3-for-21 in the first quarter before rallying for a 77-61 victory.

Lithuania led by two midway through the first quarter before Durant seized the game, showing off his entire repertoire. In just 3 1/2 minutes, he had taken the U.S. from down two to up 10, and Lithuania never really recovered.