The eventual winners hit 15 of 30 three-pointers after making 11 of their first 15 in today's final at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid, with Kyrie Irving and James Harden combining to hit nine of 11 three-pointers and scoring 26 and 23 points, respectively to lead the US.

Six other US players scored in double figures, including DeMarcus Cousins, who had 11 points and nine rebounds.

Nikola Kalinić and Nemanja Bjelica both scored 18 points to lead the way for Serbia, while Bogdan Bogdanović had 15 points and Miloš Teodosić scored 10.

The United States have now won a total of five basketball world titles ©Getty Images


The world title was the US' fifth, which sees them match Yugoslavia's benchmark for the most in history.

It was also the second for Derrick Rose, who returned after missing most of the last two seasons following a pair of knee surgeries, along with Stephen Curry and Rudy Gay.

The victory means they have won 63 straight games - 45 in official International Basketball Federation events and 18 in exhibition play - and are automatically qualified for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, where they will also hope to defend their title from London 2012.

The silver is also the first medal for Serbia, which had been a part of Yugoslavia and became an independent state in 2006.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2014: France hold off Lithuania to take third place in FIBA Basketball World Cup