Brooklyn won the game and lost James Harden. – again.
The Nets beat the Knicks 114-112 before a mixed crowd of 1,773 at the Barclays Center, completing a season sweep of their rivals. They started the game shorthanded and ended up decimated – but victorious.
Playing without Kevin Durant (as well as Tyler Johnson, Landry Shamet and Blake Griffin), the Nets saw Harden leave with another hamstring pain in the first quarter. But Kyrie Irving, the last man standing on the Big Three in Brooklyn, took over and dominated the night with a 40-point mark and seven assists.
Brooklyn (35-16) has recovered from a 14 point disadvantage and moves ½ game ahead of Philadelphia at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks dropped to 25-26.
The crowd was well divided, roaring whenever one of the teams was running. And while the Knicks were ready to fight for rivalry, the Nets have other priorities.
“To be honest, we are so focused on ourselves, trying to go through this phase where we had guys in and out of the lineup that we are really focused on internally at the moment and trying to see how we can manage this period and also if we can continue to improve,” said coach Steve Nash. “It’s not like we’re in a clash in a season where there are fans and we’ve had a great health phase and here we are and there’s a reason to get up for it. We have many reasons to get up because of this. We have a cast that is changing with injuries and whatnot, so we’re just trying to focus on how we can perform well together. “
The Knicks dropped to 0-3 this season against Brooklyn, despite a vigorous effort. RJ Barrett – Nash’s godson – had the team’s highest score 22 points. Reggie Bullock had 21 and Julius Randle 19 points, 15 bags and a dozen assists, but missed the chance to tie at the bell.
“There is pride in every game,” said Tom Thibodeau. “You play the game, you know they are talented. We have to be ready to play for 48 minutes. It is difficult to obtain victories on the road. You can’t let your guard down. “
Nervous Knicks looked hungry as he took the 86-75 lead with 4:37 left in the third. But the Nets rode a 20-5 race that lasted all periods to take a four point lead with 9:52 to go.
Brooklyn kept the Knicks in just 2 out of 10 shots, with five spins – the maximum they forced in the first 32 minutes.
Knick drew Alec Burks on a 3-pointer with 26 seconds remaining. But Jeff Green (with 23 points, the best of the season) fought for an offensive rebound after Joe Harris failed, earning an offensive rebound and two starting free throws with 3.7 ticks in the regulation.
The Nets had led 51-50 in a free throw from Jeff Green, with 3:17 to go in the second quarter.
But a couple of steals from Taj Gibson helped trigger the Knicks’ transition attack and a 17-2 game-changing streak.
The Knicks landed five direct shots, including three behind the arc. And when Reggie Bullock drained a 3-point basket with 55.8 seconds remaining, the Nets found themselves 67-53.
Brooklyn was still losing 86-75 after a jumper RJ Barrett with 4:37 to play in the third; but they struggled to go up again entering the room. The Nets ended the period with a 14 to 2 run, taking the Knicks to 1 of 6 shots with four turns.
When the Nets needed defensive stops, they got some.
A pair of Harris buckets pushed the lead to 95-91. And a ten-foot pitch put Brooklyn ahead 102-94 with 6:58 remaining in the room. They almost had to deal with an overtime, as Knick tied with 112-all.
But Green got the game by winning fake kicks, and they got the stop they needed.