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When Kevin Durant and James Harden are each clicking offensively, it is no secret that the Brooklyn Nets are exhausting to beat.
“Pray,” Harden stated, jokingly, when requested what opposing defenses ought to do on such nights after the duo mixed for 67 factors and 20 assists in Friday’s win at New Orleans. “It is tough. We’re two unselfish basketball gamers. Clearly, Kevin is understood for his scoring — environment friendly scoring — however he is additionally a keen passer.
“We have simply obtained to seek out methods to proceed that ball motion and be sure that all people’s concerned on the courtroom.”
Brooklyn wraps up its season-longest six-game highway journey Sunday in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Durant and Harden rose to stardom with the Thunder, enjoying collectively for 3 seasons earlier than Harden was dealt to Houston earlier than the 2012-2013 season.
Sunday’s sport would be the first time they’ve returned collectively to play in Oklahoma Metropolis since they reunited with Harden’s commerce from Houston to Brooklyn in January.
Harden had been gradual rounding into type this season. Earlier than Friday’s 39-point, 12-assist efficiency, he hadn’t scored greater than 29 in a sport this season.
“It is all the time good for our staff after we’re aggressive like that as a result of we are able to create a lot going to the paint,” Durant stated.
The Nets have received back-to-back video games and 7 of their final eight after an up-and-down begin to the season.
“You are seeing us making an attempt to place video games collectively, and I believe that is the great half about it,” Durant stated. “We’re determining what works for us on each ends. Now it is on us to place it collectively for a full 48.”
Durant is averaging 29.4 factors, his highest scoring common since 2013-14, when he received MVP honors with Oklahoma Metropolis.
The Thunder enter the sport on a four-game profitable streak after Friday’s 105-103 dwelling victory over Sacramento.
Oklahoma Metropolis trailed by 18 late within the third quarter earlier than rallying. In 4 of their 5 wins this season, the Thunder have trailed by at the least 16 earlier than coming again to win.
“It teaches the 48-minute lesson,” Oklahoma Metropolis coach Mark Daigneault stated. “It brings a really tangible, emotional instance of the size of the sport and that you simply’re by no means fairly out of it.”
Luguentz Dort has fueled the final two Thunder triumphs. Wednesday, Dort led the Thunder with 27 factors, 10 above his earlier greatest scoring output of the season in a 108-100 win in New Orleans.
Then Friday, after Dort scored on a tip-in to place Oklahoma Metropolis forward within the closing minutes, the Kings tied the rating and regained the ball with an opportunity to carry for the final shot. But, Dort poked away the ball from De’Aaron Fox as he tried to crossover Dort, and the Thunder guard streaked up the courtroom for a tiebreaking layup with 1.7 seconds left to raise Oklahoma Metropolis to victory.
Dort has continued to boost his status as one of many league’s strongest defenders, particularly on the ball.
“He is only a monster,” Daigneault stated. “And we have a bunch.”
Sunday’s assembly is the primary of two between the groups this season.
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