Durant Leads All In Win Over Miami
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
Miami, Fla. – When the Miami Heat faced the Brooklyn Nets Saturday night in the second of back to back games against a New York team, they were looking to rebound from their loss against the New York Knicks the night before as they blew a fourth quarter 16-point lead with 11 minutes left in the game. Kyrie Irving was in the starting line-up as the Covid-19 mandate does not apply to him playing on the road. Irving got off to slow start as he didn’t record a point in the first qaurter. Kevin Durant, who heard chants of “MVP” every time he stepped to the free throw line, led both teams with 9 points and a 27-25 first quarter lead. Then Irving showed why he could be the difference in how deep the Nets could go in the playoffs.
Irving did it from the inside and outside reeling off 10 points. Durant added another round 10 points as the Nets outscored Miami 39-21 in the second quarter taking a commanding 67-46 halftime lead. the Nets shot 59% from the floor and contested every Heat shot only allowing 39%. Neither team shot well from 3-point land. The Nets shot 3 of 11 while Miami was worse missing 14 of 17 attempts.
Brooklyn’s Andre Drummond was strong adding 9 points while Nic Clayton came off the bench to chip in 8. Miami’s P.J. Tucker along with Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro (coming off the bench after missing the previous game) led the team with 9 points each.
It didn’t get any better for Miami in the third quarter. Neither team scored a basket until a Seth Curry 3-pointer extended the lead to 70-46. Brooklyn ended the quarter with a 96-68 lead never looking back. The fourth quarter was garbage time as the home team crowd expressed their displeasure as their team dropped their third straight game in the 110-95 loss.
Durant led all scorers with 23 points as 4 other Nets scored in double figures. Defensively, Brooklyn held Miami to 44% from the floor and 29% from 3-point land.
Said Nets head coach Steve Nash afterward, “you could see the energy and commitment. It’s great when you turn defense into offense.” Drummond added, it was like a playoff like game for us. We’re in the mindset where every game counts.”
To say this season has been a rollercoaster ride for Brooklyn would be an understatement. It began with the Irving ban due to his non vaccination decision. The team then barred him from playing on the road before changing their tune. Durant gets hurt and the team goes on a losing skid. Irving showed his value upon his return as Durant worked his way back. Now, Irving will be allowed to play home games as soon as next week. This coming on the heels of them trading one of the best offensive players in James Harden to division rival Philadelphia.
Not too many teams will be thrilled if their first round playoff matchup would be against Brooklyn. Miami found that out the hard way last night.
