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TAMPA, FLA. (AP) — Kevin Durant scored seven of his 17 factors within the fourth quarter, Jeff Inexperienced had 22 factors and the Brooklyn Nets clinched a playoff spot Tuesday night time by rallying late to beat the Toronto Raptors 116-103.
Trailing 90-84 early within the fourth interval, Brooklyn used a game-turning 16-2 run to seize management. Later, Durant hit a 3-pointer with 1:47 remaining and glared on the Toronto bench after placing his workforce up 111-101.
Durant, who was enjoying his second sport after coming back from a thigh harm, added 10 rebounds in 33 minutes for his eighth double-double.
“Simply all the adversity that we’ve fought by means of this yr with accidents, protocols, commerce conditions and guys being out and in of the lineup, I’m very pleased with everyone within the group high to backside,” Durant stated.
Kyrie Irving completed with 9 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists. Seven different Nets scored in double figures on the night time Brooklyn turned the primary Jap Convention workforce to lock up a playoff spot.
“Tonight was an evening the place our connectivity actually confirmed as a result of Toronto put us below duress. When issues weren’t going our method we may have began to splinter, however our guys caught with it,” stated Brooklyn coach Steve Nash, whose Nets made 13 of 19 pictures within the fourth quarter.
The Nets gained for a 3rd straight time and the fourth time in 5 video games to forestall Toronto from pulling off the season sweep. The Raptors, who had been led by Kyle Lowry’s 24 factors, had their five-game residence profitable streak finish. A kind of victories was a 114-103 defeat of Brooklyn final week.
On Tuesday, Toronto bought outscored 31-24 within the fourth quarter after making simply 7 of 21 pictures.
“I don’t suppose 116 is an outlandish quantity for that (Brooklyn) workforce, however we’ve simply bought to attain slightly bit extra,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse stated. “The alternatives had been there.”
Newly signed guard Mike James scored all of his 11 factors within the fourth quarter because the Nets rallied from an 83-80 deficit to begin the ultimate interval. Blake Griffin shot 6 of 11 and scored 17 factors off the bench.
“It appeared like there was loads of forwards and backwards for almost all of the sport, however we had been in a position to put on them down by the top of the sport,” stated Joe Harris, who had 16 factors.
It was simply the nineteenth time all season that Durant has been on the ground with Irving due to accidents. The Nets are 12-7 in these video games.
Toronto was in motion lower than 24 hours after beating Cleveland 112-96 in Tampa on Monday. Again-to-back units of video games have been an issue all season for the Raptors, who’re 2-12 on the second night time of consecutive video games.
NO TIME TOGETHER
Nash stated he’s come to grips with the Nets not having James Harden, Durant and Irving on the ground collectively previous to the playoffs, if even then. Remarkably, Brooklyn’s trio of superstars have performed simply seven video games collectively all season due to accidents and COVID protocols.
“We acknowledge now that we’re not going to have the luxurious of a run of video games with everybody accessible, and we could not have that to begin the playoffs,” Nash stated. “It’s been like an avalanche of relentless accidents, video games and journey and it’s simply a part of the problem for this workforce.”
Harden, who has been out April 5, is again with the workforce and Nash stated the guard went by means of mild drills on Tuesday. “He’s not doing any high-intensity stuff, however he’s taking pictures and doing all of the energy and rehabilitation work. Constructive indicators, however nonetheless a methods to go.”
TIP INS
Nets: Brooklyn began a stretch of enjoying seven of the subsequent eight on the highway.
Raptors: Toronto was as soon as once more with out Chris Boucher, Gary Trent, Paul Watson and Jalen Harris. … Lowry made his first three 3s and 5 of his first 7 after lacking 13 of 14 makes an attempt in his earlier two video games.
UP NEXT
Nets: Play at Indiana on Thursday night time.
Raptors: Play at Denver on Thursday night time.
Copyright 2021 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
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