Shorthanded Nets overwhelmed by 76ers’ third-quarter surge

The percentages have been stacked towards the Nets when their Massive 3 shrank to the Massive 1 after they misplaced Kevin Durant for every week due to NBA well being and security protocols and likewise have been with out Kyrie Irving (sprained proper index finger). That left solely James Harden energetic amongst their celebrity triumvirate to tackle the Japanese Convention- main 76ers Saturday night time in Philadelphia.

That was removed from sufficient. The Nets hung powerful via the center of the third interval however then bought blown out in overwhelming style in a 124-108 loss. They fell behind by 19 factors early within the closing interval, so coach Steve Nash rested Harden the complete fourth quarter.

“We have been somewhat undermanned,” Nash stated of their third-quarter breakdown, after they surrendered 43 factors to the 76ers. “I assumed our guys bought somewhat drained from the load they have been carrying. [The 76ers] have been ready to make use of their depth and their expertise to search out somewhat separation, however I used to be pleased with the way in which the blokes competed.”

As typical, middle Joel Embiid was a dominant presence for the 76ers (17-7) with 33 factors and 9 rebounds. Tobias Harris added 21 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists and Ben Simmons totaled 16 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Harden topped the Nets (14-11) with 26 factors, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Landry Shamet had 22 factors off the bench, capturing 5-for-13 from three-point vary.

Reflecting on the third-quarter breakdown, Harden stated, “[The 76ers] picked it up somewhat bit, and it was us being careless. You may’t surrender 43 factors in that quarter. Within the third quarter, we gave them the sport.”

Given the actual fact the Nets have one other back-to-back set arising Tuesday in Detroit and at residence Wednesday towards the Pacers, Nash was requested if load administration was a part of the rationale for resting Irving.

“This one with Ky isn’t any load administration,” Nash stated. “He genuinely has a swollen finger and he took a knock to it yesterday . . . We’ll see the way it responds, however hopefully, it’s day-to-day and we’ll see him again in motion on Tuesday.”

Harden had 13 factors within the third quarter, and the rating was tied at 79 with 5:15 left within the interval. However the Nets shortly got here unraveled because the 76ers completed the quarter on a 23-7 run, together with eight factors from Danny Inexperienced and 7 from Embiid. Throughout that stretch, the Nets made three of 9 photographs and dedicated 5 turnovers.

Greg Logan has labored for Newsday since 1982 protecting a wide selection of sports activities and occasions, presently together with the Brooklyn Nets beat.