lrving Paces Nets With 42
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
The Brooklyn Nets bounced back after two losses to defeat the Houston Rockets 118-105 last night at the Barclays Center.
Brooklyn started and finished strong and kept the lead the majority of the game, even as Houston powered ahead in the third quarter. Nets Head Coach Steve Nash and players, however, did not feel it was a strong win and felt there’s room for improvement.
“I don’t think anyone in the locker room feels like it was a great performance,” Coach Nash said after the game. “I think we gave up too many offensive rebounds, loss too many loose balls.“
Brooklyn had 12 offensive rebounds compared to Houston’s 18 offensive rebounds.
“I don’t think we played really well as a team,” said Bruce Brown. “We messed up some coverages. We could play a lot better. Kai helped us out tonight.”
Brooklyn started and finished strong and kept the lead the majority of the game, even as Houston powered ahead in the third quarter. Nets Head Coach Steve Nash and players, however, did not feel it was a strong win and felt there’s room for improvement.
“I don’t think anyone in the locker room feels like it was a great performance,” Coach Nash said after the game. “I think we gave up too many offensive rebounds, loss too many loose balls.“
Brooklyn had 12 offensive rebounds compared to Houston’s 18 offensive rebounds.
“I don’t think we played really well as a team,” said Bruce Brown. “We messed up some coverages. We could play a lot better. Kai helped us out tonight.”
Brown had 15 points, three assists and three rebounds. Kyrie Irving added energy to the court with a stellar performance as he delivered the game high of 42 points. He had three rebounds and 6 assists.
“We just have to really put our imprint on the game and felt that was needed,” Irving said. “When the game starts to get a little bit out of hand or we have a big lead and let it go, then it’s time to put the foot back on the gas pedal and lead by example.”
Kevin Durant added 18 points and nine rebounds. He led the Nets with seven assists. Durant had a slow start in the first quarter. He had not scored with less than 3:30 minutes remaining in the quarter. His first two points came at the free throw line with 2:48 minutes on the clock. The Nets were ahead 30-25 by the end of the first quarter.
The Nets were up 64-47 at halftime. Irving led with 22 points two assists. Durant had 6 points four assists. Brown added 13 points one assist.
The Rockets pushed back in the second half of the game. They outscored Brooklyn 27-26 points in the third quarter and had 13 total rebounds. Brooklyn had 11 total rebounds in the third quarter.
Houston appeared to play faster in the fourth quarter, but the Brooklyn defended their home court.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Rockets with 36 points
and four assists. Jalen Green, who was selected by the Rockets as the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, scored 30 points and had two assists.
The Nets tweeted before the game Seth Curry was out with an “ankle soreness” and Joe Johnson was out with a “non-Covid illness”.
The Nets currently sit in 8th place in the NBA Eastern Conference Standings and fight for the 7th spot. The city rivalry is next for the Nets as they take on the New York Knicks tonight. The Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs last week.
