In their “City Edition” outfit, the Nets are subject to the law of Trae Young. The All-Star leader is impeccable in scoring, and in the organization of the game. He anticipates and thwarts the two Nets to give the advantage to the Hawks (18-14). Kevin Durant and his family respond by tightening the screw in defense, and the public rumbles!
The debates are balanced during the second quarter, and the attacks are unbridled. Kevin Huerter takes over from Young in attack with almost 11 straight points. The Nets lead by ten points melts, and the Hawks even come back in front thanks to two 3-points from De’Andre Hunter (56-51). The Durant-Harden duo answered him, and the Nets joined the locker room with a short lead (61-59).
After the break, the pace of the meeting drops a notch. The defenses take over, and it’s time for Kevin Durant to take the game on his own. The Nets sign a 20-4 to take a 16-point lead, and Kevin Durant plants 13 points. The visitors are knocked out, conceding 12 points in a row at the end of the 3rd quarter. Shots from 3-pointers rain for James Harden and company, and the Nets finally win 117-108 to end this series of six matches at home.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The start of the match for Trae Young. Author of 11 points and involved in 17 of the first 18 points of his team, “Ice Trae” had put his people on the right track from the start of the match. But the Nets’ defense quickly adapted, and Steve Nash has many defensive specialists to hinder him and lower his influence.
James Harden as conductor. To answer Trae Young, Brooklyn was able to count on a ferryman Harden. “The Beard” distributes and 7 assists in the first quarter, and it is a record for him with the Nets. His handling of play and tempo kept the Nets in touch. The only downside is that he harvested in the first half (1/6 on shots), not opening his points counter until… 3 seconds from the end of the period on a 3-point shot.
The end of the third quarter. Monstrous during the 3rd quarter, Kevin Durant scored 13 of the 20 points for the Nets to complete the 3rd quarter. From a distance, baseline and mid-distance, the Brooklyn star is unstoppable during these kinds of moments, and Cam Reddish, then De’Andre Hunter have seen his shorts more often than the ball while defending on him during this period. …
The success of the Nets at 3 points. Joe Harris (6/8), James Harden (5/11), Patty Mills (4/7) hurt from a distance. Out of 48 attempts, the Nets scored 22, and that gives a very high percentage with such a volume of shots: 46%.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kevin Durant. A heat stroke in the 3rd quarter, 32 points in total and a 21st game in a row with more than 20 points… This chilly Wednesday night in Brooklyn was warmed up by another big performance from KD. More than ever the boss of this team, the All-Star winger was very clean in his game and intelligent in his choices (5 assists, 7 rebounds). Kevin Durant is enjoying himself, and the fans, and he feels like he can make a difference whenever he wants to.
✅ Joe Harris. 18 points with a superb 6/8 from afar. The Nets shooter did not fail in his mission, and we will also remember his impact in defense. Author of beautiful sequences marking Bogdan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris does not do much about him, but he remains essential for Steve Nash.
⛔ Bogdan Bogdanovic. 8 points to 3/10 on shots … A copy largely insufficient for the Serbian shooter while the Hawks needed a second wind in the third quarter. Overtaken in defense and clumsy, the former Kings player is however much sought after in attack.
THE FOLLOWING
Brooklyn (5-3): After six home games, the Nets go to Detroit on Friday.
Atlanta (4-4): New big piece for the Hawks who receive the Jazz tonight.
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