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The Nets put themselves ready to undergo one of many worst losses in reminiscence after they blew all of a 21-point result in the Pelicans, who’re the worst group within the NBA this season. However when push involves shove, the Nets have the dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and James Harden, who mixed to attain 15 of their final 22 factors in a 120-112 victory and who totaled a mixed 67 factors on 22-of-35 capturing plus 20 assists.
When Harden was requested after Friday evening’s sport what any protection can do to cease him and Durant after they have it going, he hesitated, then got here out with it: “Pray?”
It was a joke but additionally a commentary on the place the Nets are headed even with out Kyrie Irving, who isn’t in compliance with the New York Metropolis COVID-19 vaccine mandate and won’t be permitted to hitch the group till he’s eligible for all video games. The primary portion of the season has been an adjustment to having two superstars as a substitute of three, however Durant and Harden may be sufficient to contend for a title.
“It’s tough,” Harden stated of the issues the Nets’ pair poses for opposing defenses. “We’re two unselfish basketball gamers. We’re versatile. Clearly, Kevin is understood for his environment friendly scoring, however he’s additionally a prepared passer, particularly when there’s double-teams.
“It’s tough to protect him, and it’s tough to protect me, particularly after we’ve acquired it going. We’re so unselfish that we need to get our teammates concerned and rating the ball, too. We’ve simply acquired to search out methods to proceed that ball motion and ensure everyone is concerned.”
Harden struggled early within the season as a result of he was unable to scrimmage over the summer season whereas rehabbing from a extreme proper hamstring pressure suffered on the finish of final season that he reinjured within the playoffs. He wanted NBA sport time to spherical into form, and his 39-point effort in opposition to the Pelicans was his first 30-point sport of the season.
“I feel we’ve acquired to be affected person with him,” Nets coach Steve Nash stated. “He’s nonetheless acquired some yards to go earlier than he feels his greatest. There’s the health, there’s the rhythm after which there’s the arrogance. For all these three issues to return again, it does take time. He was nice tonight and he’s been actually good the final week or so and trending in the precise path.”
The Nets (9-4) are 4-1 on their season-high six-game street journey, which ends in opposition to the Thunder (5-6) Sunday evening in Oklahoma Metropolis. Harden has recorded two triple-doubles on this journey plus a 28-point sport in Toronto that was his season-high till he scored 39 in New Orleans. He won’t be all the best way again, however he’s shut.
“I’m getting there,” Harden stated. “It wasn’t going to take lengthy…It takes loads of onerous work to be enjoying at a degree to which you guys have seen me play at. Once I’m not scoring 30 factors, after I’m averaging 18-some factors, it’s like, ‘What’s mistaken with James?’
“It’s fairly strong nonetheless. I’ve been enjoying so effectively and so extraordinarily at one other stage to the place you guys set requirements for me, and I set requirements for myself as effectively. For me, I simply proceed to work. I really feel lots higher, and the work don’t cease.
“I’ve simply acquired to proceed to construct. I felt just like the final sport in Orlando I do know my tempo was good, I used to be attending to the basket, I used to be discovering my teammates and I simply had that burst. Tonight, it was the identical factor. I’ve simply acquired to proceed to compound that feeling and simply hold going.”
Durant already is the most effective participant within the NBA, and when Harden will get again to full pace, he may be the second-best.
“They’re two of the most effective gamers to ever play on this league,” guard Joe Harris stated. “We’re very lucky to have them each on our group, and it makes the sport lots simpler.”
Greg Logan has labored for Newsday since 1982 masking a big selection of sports activities and occasions, at present together with the Brooklyn Nets beat.
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