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NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets stars Kevin Durant and James Harden are jelling at a powerful tempo — and the historical past books again that up.
On Monday evening, they turned the primary duo to attain 30-plus factors in every of their first two video games with a franchise because the Nets defeated the Bucks 125-123. Durant had 30 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Harden put up 34 factors, 6 rebounds and 12 assists.
That got here on the heels of Harden’s 30-point triple-double efficiency Saturday in his Nets debut towards the Magic, a recreation wherein Durant scored 42.
Since Harden’s arrival in Brooklyn, Nets coaches and administration have repeatedly mentioned they might lean on the earlier chemistry that Harden and Durant had constructed throughout their tenure in Oklahoma Metropolis. In any case, Harden hasn’t but had a single apply session with Brooklyn.
Harden mentioned that their maturity has additional aided their on-court synergy.
“We have been younger in Oklahoma Metropolis,” Harden mentioned. “We’re grown males now. We all know what we wish. We actually know the sport of basketball now. We’re not these younger guys that need to run round and simply shoot and dunk all day. After which for me, I sit again and I do know what participant Kevin Durant is. He is the most effective gamers to ever contact a basketball.”
Harden and Durant have mixed for 138 factors of their first two video games collectively in Brooklyn, in accordance with ESPN’s Stats and Data. That’s the second-most mixed factors for teammates of their first two video games along with a franchise in NBA historical past after Wilt Chamberlain and York Larese had 151 in 1961. Chamberlain scored 139 of the 151 factors, with Larese scoring 0 of their first recreation collectively and 12 of their second.
Durant mentioned that he’s not stunned how rapidly he and Harden are meshing on the court docket.
“We have been by way of so much on this league,” Durant mentioned. “Skilled so much, and for us to deliver it collectively now and mix what we have realized over this time and attempt to play nice basketball, I believe it was fairly seamless for us.
“It was a straightforward transition, particularly with James dealing with the ball so much coming in. So we’re nonetheless looking for our means and we have nonetheless obtained room to enhance, but it surely’s a strong begin.”
And on Tuesday, the Nets are anticipated so as to add one other ingredient to the combination, as Kyrie Irving is about to apply for the primary time in over two weeks.
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