Durant Stars As 'relentless' Nets Reel In Sixers
Muhammad Irfan Published October 23, 2021 | 09:00 AM
Los Angeles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2021 ) :Kevin Durant scored a 29-point triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets punished a late collapse by the Philadelphia 76ers to bag their opening win of the season on Friday.
The Nets appeared to be poised for a second straight loss following their opening defeat to Milwaukee after the Sixers pulled into a 108-98 lead with just five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
But the Sixers hopes of extending their unbeaten start to the season evaporated as their shooting accuracy deserted them in the closing stages.
The Sixers made 10 misses as the Nets turned a 10-point deficit into a 114-109 win with a 16-1 scoring run.
Durant finished with 15 rebounds and 12 assists along with his 29-point haul, while LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 23 points and James Harden 20.
Joe Harris added 14 off the bench while Patty Mills chipped in with 11.
The Sixers led for the entire game until their late fourth-quarter collapse, going 14 points clear in the first quarter alone.
But they were unable to respond when Brooklyn turned up the pace in the fourth quarter with a more physical approach.
"We played with more pace there in the fourth," Durant said afterwards. "We were more aggressive defensively, more physical.
"We're fine-tuning ourselves on both ends of the floor so this is a good game to see where we are.
We were down early, but tried to fight out here and we got over that hump." Nets coach Steve Nash said his team, still adjusting to the absence of Kyrie Irving who is unavailable due to his refusal to take a Covid-19 vaccine, had been "relentless" over the closing stage.
"I don't think there's anything that we're going to bottle up and put in a museum from this one, but it was a team effort," Nash said.
"Fighting, scrapping, trying to compete. We were relentless, never broke and kept coming at them." Seth Curry and Tobias Harris led the Philadelphia scoring with 23 points each while Joel Embiid finished with 19.
The Sixers' preparations had been overshadowed by another twist in the saga surrounding Australian star Ben Simmons, who had informed the club earlier Friday he was not mentally ready to rejoin the team.
Simmons, who was suspended for Wednesday's season opener, has told the Sixers he wants to leave the club.
Elsewhere on Friday, the New York Knicks made it two wins from two, defeating the Orlando Magic 121-96 in Florida.
Julius Randle, the hero of the Knicks' double-overtime defeat of the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, finished with 21 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
15 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
17 days ago