KD, Harden on move as Nets wallop Magic

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden is defended by two Orlando Magic players. PHOTO BY MARY ALTAFFER/AP
Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden is defended by two Orlando Magic players. PHOTO BY MARY ALTAFFER/AP

JAMES Harden debuted with triple-double while Kevin Durant drained 42 markers as Brooklyn Nets walloped Orlando Magic, 122-115, in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) Season at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines).

Harden, who joined the Nets in a blockbuster trade with Houston Rockets, finished the game with 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds.

Durant also had a solid outing as he ended up with 42 points, including five triples, Joe Harris contributed 17 markers while Jeff Green chipped in 10 markers as the Nets rose to an 8-6 win-loss slate.

Despite having Durant and Harden, who played together for the first time since their time at Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, the Nets struggled against the Magic in the early goings of the game until they created separation at the onset of the fourth period.

A triple and a two-pointer each from Durant and Harden to kick off the final quarter surged the Nets ahead, 96-88. The Magic rallied to within 98-96, but inside hits by Durant and a triple by Harris increased Brooklyn’s lead to 105-98.

Orlando cut into Brooklyn’s deficit anew at 104-107, but a triple by Durant, four free throws by Harden and a triple by Bruce Brown widened the advantage at 117-107 with over a minute left.

Nikola Vucevic finished the match with 34 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals while Terrence Ross added 23 markers as the Magic continued with their slump for a 6-7 slate.

Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs (8-6) bounced back with a 103-91 beating of the Houston Rockets (4-8). DeMar DeRozan top-scored with 24 points while Dejounte Murray added double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs.

Ja Morant had a triumphant return for the Memphis Grizzlies (6-6) as they escaped with a 106-104 win over Philadelphia 76ers (9-5). Morant finished the match with 17 points and six assists.

In other results, Toronto Raptors (4-8) pulled off a 116-113 victory over Charlotte Hornets (6-8), while Detroit Pistons (3-9) hacked a 120-100 triumph over shorthanded Miami Heat (4-7).

BOX SCORE:

BROOKLYN 122 – Durant 42, Harden 32, Harris 17, Green 10, Brown 7, Shamet 5, Perry 4, Luwawu-Cabarrot 3, Jordan 2.

ORLANDO 115 – Vucevic 34, Ross 23, Anthony 16, Gordon 11, Bacon 10, Birch 9, Ennis 2, Bone 0.

QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 29-26; Q2, 52-50; Q3, 84-83; Q4, 122-115./PN

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