While the Nets lost the NBA’s longest winning streak, James Harden punched a chair.
Nineteen losses on Saturday led to 32 points for the Mavericks and made the Nets look just as sloppy with basketball as they sometimes did before Harden arrived via switch. Only this time, Harden was the main culprit, with a record of six spins when trying to feed other teammates in addition to the injured trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Tyler Johnson.
“I played the same way,” said Harden. “I made exit passes for Bruce [Brown] that I [normally] obtain, they have been diverted. Dribbles to the basket, throws the ball off the field – I did it myself. I was not trying to do more than I normally do. I played my game, and sometimes you have bad games. “
Harden described his twists as “careless” examples of “trying to thread the needle”. During a break in the second half, Harden, who scored just four of his 29 points after the break, rose from his chair and knocked over an empty chair on the floor with his fist.
“We had some careless twists that certainly led to sold-out layups,” said coach Steve Nash. “It hurts. We are losing just four in the break and we gave them 20 points in sales. It overwhelmed us.”
Spurs commit the least number of turnovers per game (11.1) in the league. Thus, there will be no extra possessions in Monday’s game for the Nets (14.6) to compensate for donations.
“[The Mavericks] we were aggressive in defense – skipping overtaking lanes – and made us accelerate a little and forced us to turn the ball, ”said striker Jeff Green. “To win, especially when we have people out, we have to do better. We have to take care of the ball. We have to make sure that we have a good chance every time. “
Irving (right shoulder maintenance) was not listed in Sunday’s injury report. Green (right shoulder bruise) has not played the last 15 minutes against the Mavericks and is listed as questionable against the Spurs. He lost a game last week. Johnson (migraine) is considered likely to return. Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (pain in his right knee) started on Saturday but was added to the injury list as questionable.
Striker Tyler Cook has played 14 minutes in both games since signing a 10-day depth contract. He will climb the ladder if the Nets are cautious with Green.
“Especially on the defensive end and in recovery,” said Cook, “I can provide an immediate service to this group.”