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On Tuesday, the Nets received a much-needed day of relaxation though it included a virtually four-hour flight from Portland to Chicago, the place they face the Jap Convention-leading Bulls Wednesday night time at United Middle. It was the off day between a set of coast-to-coast, back-to-backs that take them from Brooklyn to Portland to Chicago and again to Brooklyn to face Oklahoma Metropolis on Thursday night time.
Coach Steve Nash blamed fatigue for the Nets’ poor efficiency of their loss to the Path Blazers, who have been lacking 4 starters, and actually, the wear and tear and tear of their condensed schedule needs to be the foremost consideration proper now for the Nets (25-14). Kevin Durant totaled almost 85 minutes within the Nets’ previous two video games, and Nash mentioned he expects him to play towards the Bulls (26-11), who gained 9 of their earlier 10 video games previous to going through the Pistons at residence Tuesday night time.
“We’ll discover him a recreation to overlook someplace developing,” Nash mentioned of Durant’s load administration. “From a aggressive standpoint, it’s arduous to restrict his minutes as a result of he desires to play, particularly in video games like this [in Portland], the place we’ve received an opportunity to win. We’ve received to search out video games the place we are able to sit him out and relaxation him.”
Durant completely discounted fatigue as an element within the Nets’ loss to the Blazers. “Who cares?” Durant mentioned following the loss. “Championship groups undergo a bit adversity . . . I’m not making no excuses about no flights, our schedule.”
As for whether or not he may welcome an evening off in the course of the present stretch of 5 video games in seven nights, Durant was emphatic. “No, let me die on the market,” Durant mentioned. With a smile, he added, “Nah, I’m simply enjoying. I’m not involved. Every time coach desires to present me a day, then I’ll assist it. However I’m not searching for one. I’m simply going to play till they inform me I’m sitting out. If I’ve received to play 40, so what? I’m going to play.”
In Portland, the Nets rested James Harden (hyperextended left knee) though Nash described it as precautionary and expects him to play in Chicago. However their harm report Tuesday nonetheless listed Harden as questionable together with Nic Claxton (left hamstring tightness) and Kyrie Irving (left ankle sprain).[graf] The Nets’ “Huge 3” nonetheless may play collectively for the second time towards the Bulls since Irving rejoined the workforce as a part-time participant in street video games. Irving scored 22 whereas enjoying greater than 39 minutes towards the Blazers.
However within the fourth quarter, he rolled his left ankle when Nassir Little dived for a unfastened ball and upended Irving awkwardly. Irving referred to as it a “reckless” play and insisted he’s good to go towards the Bulls, however his situation bears monitoring.
Assessing the place he’s at after enjoying two video games, Irving mentioned, “First, I’ve received to catch my wind, 39 minutes tonight,” Irving mentioned. “Get my legs beneath me within the fourth quarter . . . It felt like I made just a few good strikes, however now it’s simply getting again in NBA motion of the athleticism and catching as much as that pace. That’s actually what it’s at this level.”
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