NEW YORK – Kevin Durant came up with clutch conversions as shorthanded Brooklyn Nets defeated Philadelphia 76ers, 114-105, in the 2021-2022 NBA Season on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
With the score tied at 103-all, Durant completed a four-point play after being fouled by 76ers’ Tobias Harris for a 107-103 lead. It was followed by a triple by Blake Griffin as the lead grew to 110-103.
The 76ers pulled one back on a layup by Seth Curry but two free throws by rookie David Duke Jr. and a short jumper by Durant secured the victory for the Nets.
Durant finished the match with 34 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Griffin and Nicholas Claxton chipped in 17 markers apiece for the Nets.
Patrick Mills drilled four triples to finish with 14 points, while rookie Cameron Thomas tallied 11 markers as Brooklyn remained on top of Eastern Conference standings with 21-8 win-loss slate.
Brooklyn were shorthanded as half of its roster is under the NBA’s coronavirus disease 2019 health and safety protocols, led by stars James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap and Bruce Brown.
To make up for the handicap, the Nets have signed free agents Langston Galloway, James Ennis and Shaquille Harrison to 10-day hardship exception contracts.
“It’s a challenge to play shorthanded knowing how you’re going to come in to the games because a lot of these teams, they scheme for me a little different,” Durant said.
Joel Embiid had 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Curry added 29 markers as the 76ers suffered its third consecutive defeat to drop to 15-15 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Suns moved to a share of top spot in the Western Conference with its 23-5 record following a 118-98 domination over Washington Wizards.
JaVale McGee led the Suns in scoring with 17 points and eight rebounds, Landry Shamet tallied 16 points, including four triples, while DeAndre Ayton had double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
BROOKLYN 114 — Durant 34, Griffin 17, Claxton 17, Mills 14, Thomas 11, Edwards 9, Duke 6, Galloway 3, Sharpe 3.
PHILADELPHIA 105 — Embiid 32, Curry 29, Milton 13, Harris 11, Green 8, Thybulle 8, Drummond 4, Joe 0.
Quarterscores: 39-25, 66-48, 85-79, 114-105./PN
