LIn the absence of star forward Kevin Durant, injured, this time it did not prevent the Brooklyn Nets, with guard James Harden in his best version, despite suffering, in the end they achieved a 115-113 victory against the Orlando Magic.
Harden was close to the triple-double with 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as the best contributor of the decimated Nets, who also did not have shooting forward Joe Harris.
The Nets overcame a 19-point deficit and Durant’s absence to claim victory and regain the 12-5 lead in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.
Durant did not play due to a sprained right shoulder that prevents him from having his best touch of the wrist, although he played the previous two games already injured.
The veteran Australian point guard Patty Mills scored another 22 points that were also decisive in defining the victory for the Nets.
While reserve power forward James Johnson had a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds with the Nets and as the sixth player he also became a winning factor.
The Nets trailed by 19 points in the second quarter, but ended the half on a 10-0 streak. Harden scored the last five points from the free throw line as Brooklyn cut its halftime deficit to 53-62.
For the Magic (4-12), the best scorer was rookie guard Jalen Suggs who reached 21 points.
Another rookie, German power forward Franz Wagner and backup Chuma Okeke each had 17 points for the Orlando team.
