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Reuters

The US men’s team extended their Olympic Games unbeaten run to 21 games with a tense 94-91 win over Serbia on Friday, but their uneven play hinted that a third straight gold might not be straightforward.
After opening the Rio de Janeiro Olympics with blowout wins over China and Venezuela, cracks are starting to show in the armour of a usually invincible US team that have been put to the test against Serbia and Australia in their last two games.
WATCH: golden moments on Day 7 at the Rio Olympics

While the unbeaten US lead Group A with one preliminary game remaining against France on Sunday, they have been plagued by turnovers in their last two contests and been unable to showcase the dominance that has long been their trademark.
But despite some uneven play, there was no panic in the US camp as players treated the near upsets as learning experiences ahead of the knockout phase of the 12 team tournament.

“I’m not too concerned,” said Paul George, who had 12 points in the win while Kyrie Irving led the US with 15. “We’re a new group and playing against an experienced offence, we’re still trying to figure it out.
“It’s good we’re having two games like these where we have to kind of pull it together.
“Right now we we’re just going through an adjustment period.”
Dream team shines: USA men romp past China 119-62 in Olympic basketball opener
Coming off Wednesday’s 98-88 win over Australia, the United States appeared to have learned their lesson as they got off to a fast start against Serbia.
The Americans opened with a 14-2 run highlighted by a one-handed slam dunk from DeMarcus Cousins that triggered a round of high-fives from the American bench and signalled that a rout was underway.

But sixth ranked Serbia had other plans and denied the Americans a chance to put the game out of reach as they pulled to within nine points at half-time.
The tireless Serbia began to wear down the Americans in the second half with their ball movement and with less than a minute to play trailed by three and were in position to pull off the biggest upset of the tournament.

Final: USA 94, SRB 91@KyrieIrving team-high 15pts, #USABMNT 7-20 3pt FGs.
Recap: https://t.co/ahfarjn1LI pic.twitter.com/PBrxgNSQ4z
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 13, 2016

But with the crowd on their feet and two seconds on the clock Bogdan Bogdanovic’s three-point attempt clanged off the rim allowing the US to escape with the win while Serbia suffered a third defeat in four games.
“Serbian mentality is we have to fight to the end no matter what the score,” said centre Miroslav Raduljica, who had 18 points for Serbia.

“This is how we play and how we are going to keep playing, not just this tournament but always as long as Serbia has a team.”
In earlier Group A action, Australia earned a 93-68 win over China.




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Cracks appearing: US men’s basketball team survive Serbia scare to stay unbeaten at Olympic Games

Paul George drives to the basket over Serbia's Milos Teodosic. Photo: AP

Serbia's centre Miroslav Raduljica goes to the basket during a Men's round Group A basketball match between USA and Serbia at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / STRINGER

2016 Rio Olympics - Basketball - Preliminary - Men's Preliminary Round Group A USA v Serbia - Carioca Arena 1 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 12/08/2016. Demarcus Cousins (USA) of the USA dunks. REUTERS/Marko Djurica FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

2016 Rio Olympics - Basketball - Preliminary - Men's Preliminary Round Group A USA v Serbia - Carioca Arena 1 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 12/08/2016. Kyrie Irving (USA) of the USA shoots over Stefan Markovic (SRB) of Serbia. REUTERS/Jim Young FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

Even without LeBron James and Stephen Curry, the USA is still aiming for gold at the Olympic Games

The US men's Olympic basketball team with head coach Mike Krzyzewski (left) and managing director Jerry Colangelo. Photo: AP

FILE - In this March 30, 2016 file photo, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts to a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas. A person with knowledge of the details says Anthony has agreed to chase a fourth Olympic men’s basketball medal, while Toronto teammates Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will also play for the U.S. The person told The Associated Press on Thursday, June 23, 2016 that the Americans were still awaiting decisions from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving but had solidified 10 of their 12 roster spots. (AP Photo/LM Otero, file)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook during the first half of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oakland, Calif., Monday, May 30, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Olympics loses a major star as Stephen Curry opts out of US basketball team

Stephen Curry wants to rest. Photo: AFP

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up prior to Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 05: Stephen Curry #30 and Ian Clark #21 of the Golden State Warriors react on the bench during Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 5, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

epa05343085 Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) goes for a loose ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (L) during the first half of the NBA Finals basketball game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA, 02 June 2016. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO CORBIS OUT

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Kyrie Irving scored 15 points as the two-time defending champions recorded a fourth straight win after posting a 94-91 victory in Rio de Janeiro


Cracks appearing: US men’s basketball team survive Serbia scare to stay unbeaten at Olympic Games

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Kyrie Irving scored 15 points as the two-time defending champions recorded a fourth straight win after posting a 94-91 victory in Rio de Janeiro

WATCH: golden moments on Day 7 at the Rio Olympics

Kyrie Irving scored 15 points as the two-time defending champions recorded a fourth straight win after posting a 94-91 victory in Rio de Janeiro