Kyrie Irving scores 35 when the Nets lose skid in three games, beating Pacers, 104-94

When you accumulate the biggest advantage of the franchise interval in 19 years, you better win and the Nets won.

Brooklyn certainly recovered from three consecutive defeats, exhibiting high energy along with great effort while the Nets defeated the Pacers 104-94. With the win, the Nets improved to 15-12 in the season and broke their longest losing streak of the season … along with a six-game losing streak at home against the Pacers – their longest losing streak at home against any team. With the loss, Pacers are below 0.500 to 12-13. It was the fourth defeat in a row.

“The things I was talking to you about last night – effort, struggle, connectivity, and what I’ve been telling them is that you can’t be having fun the way we’re playing. Tonight, there were a lot of smiles, a lot of joy and a lot of passion for your teammates and for work, ”said Nash after the victory. “This alone is something to build on. I am proud of them for bringing it. We ordered and they delivered. This is a great sign. ”

Brooklyn came out shooting and playing very defensively, which after yielding 120 points in eight straight games was a welcome sign. The Brooklyn defense kept Indiana with just 18 points in the first quarter, the second lowest score allowed in an opening period this season. The Nets followed their strong first period with an even stronger second – holding Indiana with 12 points in the second quarter, while accumulating 35 in the period.

After entering the locker room with a 62-30 lead, the franchise’s biggest break in the range since the Jason Kidd era, the Pacers have reversed the script a little, fighting from behind. Led by Domantas Sabonis, Indiana accumulated 32 points in the third quarter, taking advantage of Brooklyn’s unforced mistakes and the lack of recovery in the transition.

The Nets opened the last 12 minutes of the game with an advantage of 20 points. Despite the great advantage, Indiana did not leave easily, as his confidence began to shine. Despite a small push, the Nets kept their foot on the gas pedal at both ends and released their seat with 1:41 left. The Nets maintained a double-digit lead for 32 consecutive minutes, also a record for the season.

Joe Harris noted the defensive impact of the Nets after the victory, noting how it was the best defense played in the entire season, including key elements.

“We were definitely much more stuck, focused and the communication was there,” said Joe Harris after the victory. “The effort was there and we were protecting each other. We haven’t played defense like that for most of the season, so it was definitely good to see us taking a step in the right direction. “

James Harden went to a deeper level, playing in the specific area where Brooklyn stood out as a group.

“Communication has to be the key. Our greats, especially DeAndre, did an amazing job of communicating on that pick-and-roll. We know how important Brogdon and Sabonis’s pick-and-roll is, and our communication was unbelievable and it showed. ”Harden continued,” Our defense against pick-and-roll was great tonight. “

Kyrie Irving paved the way for the Nets with 35 points, eight assists and four rebounds in 35 minutes of play. But his most impressive statistic was his success on the line. Irving went to the line 17 times and left with 17 points. For the season, it is now 95 percent. James Harden was also perfect, reaching 10 out of 10. The last time an initial guard combination was 27 out of 27? Harden and Russell Westbrook.

James Harden remained a folding machine for Brooklyn, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes of play. Harden double-doubled at halftime, marking his fourth career in the first double-double. In fact, his 11 rebounds in the middle of the road were the most he had achieved halfway through his career.

DeAndre Jordan recovered from the victory after being severely criticized during and after Tuesday’s game. Jordan recorded three blocks with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes.

As a team, Brooklyn ended the win with 42.1 percent overall and 29.0 percent deep – recording 13 losses, including a 24-second breach at the end of the game. The Nets fought a solid battle at the tables, 46-43, against two major producers.

In the case of Indiana, Donatas Sabonis scored 18 points in 35 minutes, followed by Malcolm Brogdon with 15 points in 35 minutes. Indiana ended the defeat by shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from the depths. They are still suffering from the loss of Victor Oladipo in the exchange of four teams that brought Harden to Brooklyn.

The Nets kicked off the game in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Before the complaint, Irving entered the central court to wish Chinese fans a happy Lunar New Year.

With the arena lined with red and yellow, the colors of the Chinese flag, the game also featured a video clip of Chinese pop star Hou Minghao set in Brooklyn landscapes and highlights from the Nets.

The cinema hall

Well, that was certainly an improved effort, wasn’t it? Wait, let me check something out.

* See Indiana’s winning / losing record before tonight’s game *

Ah. It makes sense.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but after falling on your face (no, literally) against the Detroit Pistons, which is in the basement, the Nets showed BIG with a strong titanium defensive showcase against a perennial playoff team. I swear, this season is becoming a big ole meme of Jekyll and Hyde swings from game to game.

And guess what? You will never believe this. The villain (kidding …) from the last game, DeAndre Jordan, was Brooklyn’s hero on Wednesday night, holding the Pacers All-Star against 7 of 20 shots. He more than held his ground against one of the league’s best players, mixing cabinets with his other raised hand, while shuffling his footwork to stop the Lithuanian star.

In addition, it was his communication as Brooklyn’s defensive general who paid huge dividends on Wednesday – in a performance that teammate Joe Harris later said, “We didn’t play defense like that … probably the entire season.”

Here’s what DJ has to say about the honor of controlling the flow of communication on the court.

“Everyone is not going to be a talker and a high communicator, but that’s okay. As long as we’re connected, I think that’s a good thing, said DeAndre. “I know I’m very shy, but on the floor, I talk a lot … I put a lot of it on myself and be able to go out and just communicate, whether it’s calling plays, telling the guys to pass, different things, and kind of engaging us in that direction. “

Although Kyrie Irving’s explosion of goals was a sight to behold, I would argue strongly that DeAndre Jordan was Brooklyn’s best player on the ground. From erasing Sabonis’s impact to communicating and turning like a pro, DeAndre Jordan set the tone on Wednesday, and it was a big reason why Brooklyn’s defense was the way it was (very good!). I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say: More of that, DeAndre.

Fair Value Harris

As we noted, Joe Harris has been doing his $ 72 million business for four years, if not a bargain, then a fair value. Joe E. Buckets has now reached sixth place ever in three point shots and hitting better than 49 percent in depth, averaging better than 15 points. In the last seven games, however, he has performed better and better. Harris averaged 17.0 points, while reaching 56.6 percent overall and 52.8 percent depth. On Wednesday night, he continued, scoring 17 points out of 6 out of 11 general shots and 3 out of 7 deep.

Harris was asked if he planned to participate in the 3-point shooting contest, a competition he won two years ago. “I wish all participants well,” he said without expression (or we assume he was unmoved behind that mask. You decide.)

Barclays Center and Nets thank Caris LeVert with a tribute video

Caris LeVert returned to the Barclays Center for the first time since it was negotiated … and underwent kidney surgery after discovering a small mass.

Before the start of the second quarter, the Nets showed a one-minute tribute video, honoring LeVert’s tenure as Net. LeVert saluted the Brooklyn bank after the tribute video and was greeted by several Nets players, including Kyrie Irving, during the game and after the final bell. Most of the team and Nets sport science director Dan Meehan all offered LeVert big hugs.

Here is the full video of the LeVert tribute video and his reaction.

Steve Nash talks about the loss of Kevin Durant

Hot shot: the Nets get better when Kevin Durant is on the roster (!!). While the Nets are just two days away from bringing their superstar back after a clash with the NBA’s COVID-19 safety and health protocols, things have not been exactly easy without him. Steve Nash detailed how and where Brooklyn loses KD … on and off the ground.

“I think he gives the team confidence. He is obviously one of the best players in the game and in the history of the game. But for our team it gives us confidence, ”said Nash before the game. “I think he gives us size, which is missing a lot without him – even with him, we are a small team … He brings a lot to the table, whether he has the ball or not. It is an important part of what we are trying to recover soon. “

Or as SpongeBob would say …

Per Will Hanley

What is the next

With the Nets sixth in a row in the books, Brooklyn will be back in action on Saturday when the team travels to San Francisco to play against the Golden State Warriors – starting their five-game trip down the west coast.

The game will luckily feature the return of Kevin Durant, who lost four games due to three (and a half) games due to health and safety protocols. The Warriors plan a tribute to the twice NBA Finals MVP.

And when they return, the Nets will be applauded by the FANS! The February 23 Nets game against the Kings at Barclays will have a limited number of fans, according to the announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday.

For a different perspective, check out Indy Cornrows – our sister site Pacers for SB Nation.