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CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Durant returned to Brooklyn’s lineup and scored 27 factors, James Harden added 14 factors and a season-high 14 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112 on Monday evening.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 factors and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Nets, who gained for the sixth time in seven video games.
Durant was again after lacking one recreation with a sprained proper shoulder. With the Nets down 105-102, the All-Star ahead made a troublesome baseline jumper and layup to place Brooklyn again in entrance.
Cleveland’s Ricky Rubio hit a 3-pointer to tug the Cavs inside one, however Aldridge scored on a putback when the Cavs did not field out. Durant then grabbed a rebound off a Cleveland miss earlier than firing a cross to an unguarded James Johnson for a layup to make it 113-108.
Durant dropped 4 free throws within the final 13.8 seconds left to ice it.
Darius Garland scored 24 and Jared Allen had 20 factors and 15 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen added 22 factors in his first recreation since Nov. 1 for the nonetheless short-handed Cavs, who had probabilities down the stretch however missed some photographs and made crucial errors.
Cleveland has misplaced 4 straight.
Durant (24,367) moved inside one level of tying Allen Iverson (24,368) for twenty fifth on the profession scoring checklist.
Cam Thomas made a 3-pointer and had a three-point play to gasoline a 13-2 run by the Nets over the ultimate 2:32 of the third as Brooklyn, which trailed for a lot of the sport, took an 84-82 lead into the final 12 minutes.
The Cavs have been extraordinarily short-handed, lacking 4 starters, once they visited Brooklyn and misplaced 109-99 final week. They did not have Allen or Markkanen, who returned after lacking 9 video games following a constructive COVID-19 take a look at and being positioned in league well being protocols.
Nets coach Steve Nash has been impressed with the Cavs, calling them a “very prepared, unselfish group.” He anticipated a troublesome recreation and obtained one.
Cleveland was the extra aggressive, extra centered crew within the first half. The Cavs outrebounded the Nets 30-14 whereas constructing an 11-point halftime lead.
TIP-INS
Nets: F Joe Harris (left ankle sprain), F Bruce Brown (left hamstring tightness), Nic Claxton (sickness) and G Kyrie Irving (not with crew) have been inactive. Harris missed his fourth straight recreation. … Brooklyn leads the NBA with a .380 3-point share. Two-time league chief Harris is capturing .466. … Harden and Irving share the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse scoring file of 55 factors in a recreation.
Cavaliers: Cleveland tried 16 free throws within the second quarter after not attempting one within the first. … Quick-starting rookie F Evan Mobley (proper elbow) missed his third recreation in a row. He will not be again till December. The No. 3 total choose was averaging 14.6 factors and eight.0 rebounds earlier than getting damage. … F Cedi Osman (decrease again spasms) sat out his second recreation in a row, whereas F Lamar Stevens (proper ankle sprain) final performed on Nov. 12.
UP NEXT
Nets: Go to Boston on Wednesday.
Cavaliers: Host the red-hot Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
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