US Olympic Men’s basketball squeaks by Serbia 94-91

United States' Kyle Lowry (7) drives past Serbia's Stefan Jovic (24) during a men's basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

Fans reach out to United States' DeAndre Jordan, right, and DeMarcus Cousins, left, as their enter for a men's basketball game against Serbia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

Serbia's Marko Simonovic (5) reacts after a play during a men's basketball game against the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

United States' Carmelo Anthony (15) celebrates with teammates after making a basket during a basketball game against Serbia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)

United States' DeMarcus Cousins (12) pulls down a reoubnd against Serbia's Nikola Jokic (14) during a men's basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

United States' Kyrie Irving, left, drives to the basket past Serbia's Miroslav Raduljica (13) during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)

United States' Kyrie Irving (10) scores over Serbia's Nikola Jokic, left, during a men's basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

RIO DE JANEIRO — Kyrie Irving scored 15 points and the U.S. men’s basketball team survived its second straight strong challenge in the Rio Games, edging Serbia 94-91 on Friday.

The Americans won their 48th consecutive international tournament game, but it was anything but easy.

Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic missed a 3-pointer from the left wing with 2 seconds left that would have tied it, and Kevin Durant grabbed the rebound to keep the Americans unbeaten. They barely escaped against Australia on Wednesday.

Seeking their third straight gold medal, the Americans built an early 18-point lead but couldn’t put away the Serbians, who lost by 29 to the U.S. in the 2014 Basketball World Cup final.

DeAndre Jordan scored 13 and Carmelo Anthony 12 for the U.S., which will close pool play on Sunday against France.

Nikola Jokic scored 25 and Miroslav Raduljica 18 before fouling out for Serbia.