The Brooklyn Nets recovered from the last loss to Golden State with the eleventh victory of the season (11-5) by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-109 with four players above 20 points.
James Harden led the New Yorkers’ offense with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists; reserve LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 7 rebounds; Kevin Durant added 23 points, and Patty Mills finished with 21.
“The good thing is that we came out with the victory. We have to keep improving, ”admitted James Harden.
With a 62-41 advantage at halftime, the Nets relaxed in the second half, and in the third period they conceded a negative 32-19 run that allowed Cleveland’s team to re-engage the game despite the numerous and important casualties they had. .
Ricky Rubio was the leading scorer with 25 points, followed by his teammate backcourt Darius Garland with 24 points. It is worth mentioning that they could not count on the players Jarrett Allen, Collin Sexton, Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen and Lamar Stevens.
«In the second part we merge. And they profited. They made their pitches. We were very lucky that they missed a lot of shots in the first half, ”explained Harden.
Returning to the pitch after overcoming COVID-19 was veteran Kevin Love, an important part of the Cavs’ second unit. The former NBA champion in 2016 played 21 minutes with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists with a 4/10 shot.
“Muscle aches, sensitive skin, couldn’t smell or taste… Muscle spasms, fatigue, pain in the chest and in the head. It was all pretty tough, ”Love admitted.
(Cover photo: Bello / Getty Images)
