Harden rallies Nets to 115-113 win over Magic as Durant sits

NEW YORK — The photographs weren’t falling for James Harden on Friday, besides when he was on the free throw line.

He was practically good there, going 19 for 20 as he scored 36 factors to steer the Brooklyn Nets to a 115-113 victory over the Orlando Magic.

Harden added 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Nets, who performed with out Kevin Durant due to a proper shoulder sprain. He was solely 7 for 25 from the sphere, together with 3 of 13 from 3-point vary.

‘I most likely needed to do some bit extra so far as being aggressive, and I had loads of beauty so far as layups, floaters,’ Harden mentioned. ‘They only did not go in.’

Patty Mills added 22 factors and LaMarcus Aldridge had 11 of his 15 within the fourth quarter.

Jalen Suggs scored 21, whereas Franz Wagner and Chuma Okeke every had 17 for the Magic.

‘We have got to start out popping out higher within the second half of video games, simply play arduous,’ Okeke mentioned. ‘I really feel like that is all it truly is. Simply play arduous, play collectively. We might have come out with a win, however that is one thing we will study from and simply construct off of.’

The Nets trailed by 19 factors within the second quarter, however ended the half on a 10-0 run. Harden scored the ultimate 5 from the free throw line as Brooklyn decreased its halftime deficit to 62-53.

Mills’ back-to-back 3-pointers gave the Nets a 73-70 lead with 7:15 to go within the third quarter. It was their first lead because the opening bucket of the sport.

‘We have been capable of feed off some good power,’ Mills mentioned. ‘Within the second half we have been capable of get stops, get deflections and we ran down the opposite finish like we have been going downhill. We gained momentum and it grew to become infectious all through the entire group.’

Orlando trailed 90-83 heading into the ultimate quarter, however tied the sport at 92 on Okeke’s 3-pointer.

Neither staff led by greater than three till Harden’s two free throws with 9 seconds remaining gave Brooklyn a 114-100 lead. After Suggs hit a layup, Harden went again to the road and made one alongside together with his solely miss of the sport.

Cole Anthony, who completed with 16 factors, was fouled with 3 seconds left. After making the primary, he missed the second deliberately. Nevertheless, his try didn’t hit the rim and the Nets got possession and ran out the clock.

James Johnson completed with season highs of 17 factors and 10 rebounds for the Nets.

‘No matter it takes for us to win. That is what I am right here for,’ Johnson mentioned. ‘5 minutes, 10 minutes, no matter it takes.’

TIP-INS:

Magic: Orlando has began the identical 5 gamers (Anthony, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Suggs, and Wagner) in each recreation this season besides one. Gary Harris began instead of Suggs in opposition to the Hawks in Atlanta on November 15.

Nets: DeAndre’ Bembry made his first begin of season changing Durant. ‘ Joe Harris missed his third straight recreation with a left ankle sprain. Paul Millsap was additionally out of the lineup attributable to ‘private causes.’

GAME-TIME DECISION

Durant participated in warm-ups, however was held out of the sport. ‘It has been bothering him a bit and it is time for him to relaxation,’ coach Steve Nash mentioned earlier than the sport. ‘For tonight, it hurts the staff. However, it is a choice we needed to make. He now can get just a few days to relaxation.’ The Nets do not play once more till Monday in Cleveland. Durant, who leads the Nets and is second within the NBA with 28.6 ppg, performed in the entire Nets’ first 16 video games.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

The Magic have performed 31% of their video games (5 of 16) this season in opposition to New York groups. They’ve already performed the Knicks 3 times (2-1) and misplaced to the Nets twice.

LONG-DISTANCE TURNAROUND

Within the staff’s first assembly of the season, a 33-point Brooklyn victory on Nov. 10, Orlando shot 4 of 33 from 3-point vary. In Friday’s recreation, the Magic shot 6 of 10 within the first quarter.

UP NEXT

Magic: Orlando travels to Milwaukee for consecutive video games on Saturday and Monday.

Nets: Brooklyn visits Cleveland on Monday