NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets got a lift from its new acquisitions to score a 109-85 triumph over Sacramento Kings in the 2021-2022 NBA Season on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Seth Curry drilled three outside hits as he finished with 23 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists. Andre Drummond added 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists as the Nets halted its 11-game losing skid.
Bruce Brown had an all-around game of 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, five steals and three blocks, while LaMarcus Aldridge and Cameron Thomas ended up with 19 and 14, respectively, for the Nets (30-27).
The Nets waxed hot early behind Curry and Brown as it surged to a 35-16 edge but the Kings responded with a run in the second period to trim the deficit to 48-55 at the half.
Sacramento came to within 54-55 at the onset of the third period but consecutive points from Curry followed by inside shots from Drummond increased Brooklyn’s lead to 80-66.
The Kings made its last run in the fourth quarter as it trimmed the deficit to 83-95 but the Nets leaned on conversions by Drummond, Thomas and Brown for its largest lead of 109-85.
DeAarox Fox led the way with 26 points, while rookie Davion Mitchell and Donte DiVincenzo added 13 and 12 points, respectively, as the Kings dropped to 22-37.
Meanwhile, undermanned Portland Trail Blazers (24-34) catched another big fish after defeating defending champions Milwaukee Bucks (35-23), 122-107.
Anfernee Simons converted seven triples and finished with 31 points, Josh Hart added 27 markers, while Jusuf Nurkic had double-double 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers (29-30), for its part, scored a huge 119-104 stunner over Golden State Warriors (42-16). Terance Mann led the shorthanded Clippers with career-high tying 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
BOX SCORE:
BROOKLYN 109 — Curry 23, Brown 19, Aldridge 19, Thomas 14, Drummond 11, Mills 8, Johnson 4, Carter 3, Edwards 3, Duke 3, Sharpe 2, Griffin 0.
SACRAMENTO 85 — Fox 26, Mitchell 13, DiVincenzo 12, Sabonis 9, Holiday 7, Metu 7, Barnes 6, Holmes 4, Harkless 1, Lyles 0, Jackson 0.
Quarterscores: 35-24, 55-48, 80-66, 109-85./PN
