ISTANBUL, Aug 30, (Agencies): The United States survived its first tough test at the world championships, edging Brazil 70-68 on Monday when Leandro Barbosa’s shot rattled out at the buzzer.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Chauncey Billups added 15 for the Americans (3-0), who essentially clinched Group B with the victory. But this was further proof that a world title won’t come easily for this young U.S. team — if it comes at all. The Americans didn’t take the lead for good until 7:14 remained in the game, and Brazil had two chances to tie it in the final seconds. After the Americans trailed most of the first 2-1/2 quarters, Lamar Odom’s dunk with 7:14 left put them ahead 64-62. But they couldn’t build on the lead during a tense final few minutes.

Following a miss by Billups, Brazil got the ball and Marcelo Huertas was fouled on a drive to the basket with 3.5 seconds left. He missed the first free throw and then the second intentionally, tracking it down in the corner and firing it underneath to Barbosa, who put up a shot over Kevin Love, only to have it bounce off the back and front of the rim. Marcus Vinicius scored 16 points and Barbosa finished with 14 after a strong start for Brazil (2-1). Tiago Splitter had 13 while battling foul trouble in the second half.

Australia 78, Germany 43
Patty Mills scored 16 points to help Australia cruise past tired and cold-shooting Germany 78-43 on Monday for its second victory.
One day after upsetting Serbia in double overtime, Germany scored the first basket before watching Australia go on a 12-0 run. The lead reached 22 before Australia took a 38-20 lead into halftime. Germany shot 27 percent from the field in the first half and 26 percent for the game.
After its dramatic 82-81 victory over Serbia, the young German team had nothing left for Australia. Jan Jagla, who had 22 points against Serbia and hit a decisive off-balance 3-pointer, finished with 2 points Monday and did not play in the second half.

Center Alex Maric added 15 points for Australia (2-1). Robin Benzing had 11 points for Germany (1-2).
Germany and Australia both had narrow losses to Argentina.
“This was a massive game for us and it gets us back on track,” Australia captain Matt Nielsen said.
Australia and Germany still have two more games each in Group A, with four teams advancing from each of the four six-team pools to the single-elimination round. Germany still has to play Angola and Jordan and looks likely to advance because of its win over Serbia.

Iran 71, Tunisia 58
Iran earned its first victory ever at basketball’s world championship, blowing most of a 24-point lead before holding on to beat Tunisia 71-58.
Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Iranians (1-2), whose lead was down to three in the final minutes before they pulled away again.
Playing in the event for the first time, Iran lost to Brazil and Croatia in its opening two games before easily beating Tunisia, now the lone winless team in Group B at 0-3.
Iran played in the Olympic basketball tournament in 2008 for the first time in more than 60 years after winning the Asian championship the year before. The Iranians defended the Asian title last year to earn their spot in the worlds field.

Serbia 112, Jordan 69
Serbia recovered from a tough double-overtime, one-point loss to Germany to beat Jordan 112-69.
Serbia used its height to dominate inside and all 11 of its eligible players scored. Center Nenad Krstic was sitting out the last of his three-game suspension for a pre-tournament brawl in Greece but guard Milos Teodosic returned Monday with seven points and seven assists.
Dusko Savanovic and Marko Keselj led Serbia (2-1) with 21 points each and center Kosta Perovic added 20. Osama Daghles had 19 points for Jordan (0-3). Serbia lost 82-81 to Germany less than 24 hours earlier in Group A.

Slovenia 91, Croatia 84
Uros Slokar and Jaka Lakovic scored 15 points each, and Slovenia beat Croatia 91-84.
Slovenia (2-1) took the lead for good on Miha Zupan’s 3-pointer with 6:33 remaining. Samo Udrih followed with a layup and Lakovic made a 3-pointer, making it 77-71 with 5:04 remaining.
The Slovenians never let Croatia (1-2) get closer than four from there, delighting their green-clad fans who chanted and danced throughout much of the second half.
Every game in the first two days of Group B action had been decided by double digits.
Phoenix guard Goran Dragic had 14 points and Bostjan Nachbar 11 for Slovenia, which bounced back from its loss to the United States on Sunday.