James Harden has not been aggressive since coming from Houston, still trying to overcome that fine line in his new team. But with Kevin Durant finally looking deadly for the first time, Harden led the Nets to victory.
Trapped in a dispute for the fourth period with the champions of the Eastern Conference, Harden took what had been a close game and turned it into a 98-85 coup in Miami on Monday night at the Barclays Center.
With Brooklyn clinging to an 81-80 lead that was tenuous at best, Harden and Irving sparked a 15-0 streak that put the shorthanded Heat away.
“Huge for us. We didn’t have the best night of goals offensively, defensively we just persisted, which made it very, very difficult for them, ”said Harden. “Offensively we didn’t play well, but defensively I thought we were active, we contested shots and made things more difficult for them as a team.”
Harden finished with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds, while Durant added 20 and 13 rebounds. Although Harden has not been in his normal state since arriving from Houston in a four-team mega-negotiation, with Durant fighting on the ground, it was Harden who scored 10 points in that crucial race.
“Just being aggressive. I was not very aggressive throughout the game. This area kind of shook us a little in the sense of wanting to delay us. They took some possessions and I let go a little, so my teammates are giving me confidence to throw basketball, be aggressive and ready.
“I’m finding out, it was just five games and that’s what we have a long season for. Once we find that balance, our team will be much better. But it’s still early. As we’ve learned, we’re trying to accumulate as many wins as possible. It feels great when you can do both. “
Before the game, Steve Nash admitted that he wanted Harden to be more aggressive. On Monday, the three-time top scorer had no choice.
Durant fought for 6 out of 21 shots, including 2 out of 13 shots. But the Nets still found a way to win.
“I just wanted to be a little more aggressive. You obviously know Kevin and Kyrie [Irving] are really good markers. Easy shots they missed normally do, ”said Harden. “We wanted to finish the fourth period in the right way and we did it defensively.”
The defamed Brooklyn defense kept Miami with just 14 in the fourth period, with the Nets winning for the sixth time in eight games.
The Heat (6-10) played without Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro; but they defended and gave up like all Erik Spoelstra’s teams do. And they tested the Nets with 2-3 zones and 3-2 zones, breaking Brooklyn’s streak of 12 consecutive games to score over 110 points.
“They definitely messed up the game and turned it into a physical game and were able to stay in the game until the end of the fourth period,” said Durant. “Our defense remained steadfast throughout the game and as soon as we managed to start making some shots back in the room, we managed to retreat, but our defense won this game for sure.”
Brooklyn came out colder than the weather. The Nets missed their first five shots and landed in a quick 8-0 hole, and set the tone for much of the night. They hit only 4 of 21 in the first quarter, and missed their first 11 attempts behind the hoop, until Joe Harris finally hit the bottom with 9:30 remaining time.
The Nets still lost 45-38 a minute before the break – and 61-56 in the third – before finally starting to gain strength.
Clinging to an 81-80 lead, Harden pierced a 3 step back with 4:59 to the end and then a tray to push the lead to six. After Harden’s much-maligned defense came out great at the other end, blocking Kendrick Nunn, Irving’s bucket made 88-80 with 3:54 to play.
Harden and Harris added 3 points to increase to 16, driving a dagger in Miami.
“The guys were tired,” said Nash. “We couldn’t buy a basket. We looked good. Tired of kicking the ball, but also tired of being a little stagnant against the area after a very good performance against it the other night. Overall, it was just the fact that they held on, and James came over and made some big shots in the final stretch. “