In front of a record crowd at the Barclays Center, it is James Harden who is the first in action. His 1st act is perfect, and it is he who launches his team in the match. Facing the collective of the Knicks, he does what he can do best: score baskets. In his wake, Cam Thomas, Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge also show good things in attack and the Nets prance in the lead after 12 minutes.
James Harden continues his festival, but the “second unit” of the Knicks begins to weigh on the meeting. Obi Toppin and D-Rose give their best and manage to score quite easily. The former Bulls point guard took matters into his own hands on offense. Fearsome on pick and roll, he causes problems for the defense of the Nets who do not know what to do with the aggressiveness of the former MVP. Rose got her team back on track. Burks and Randle take over from Rose and respond to Durant and Harden. In a superb atmosphere, James Harden scores with the buzzer, but it is New York which leads by a point (61-60).
The break cut off the Knicks’ legs. Overtaken, they cash a 14-0. Returning to the field, Rose tries to restore order, but the Nets seem to have the game in hand. Despite an average skill, Kevin Durant is still able to put big shots, James Harden distributes some caviar and Aldridge is efficient in the racket.
Evan Fournier equalizes …
On the ropes, led by 16 points 16 minutes from time to time, the Knicks will find the mental resources to come back. They end the quarter on an 18-4. Burks is perfect and Evan Fournier drops two huge 3-point bombs. At 12 minutes from the end, Brooklyn is only four points ahead.
It is a real hand to hand between the two teams in this last act. Faced with a Randle / Topin racquet that gives it all, the talent of Harden or KD allows Brooklyn to stay in touch. The whole room is on its feet for the last few minutes. The Nets are looking for KD in attack and the latter despite taking two, finds solutions in attack. He scores 11 points in the last act and allows the Nets to have a 3-point lead less than 20 seconds from the end (110-107).
Coming out of time out and after a well-executed system, Evan Fournier thinks he will hang overtime with a big 3-point shot. Last possession for the Nets. Durant on the ball and the Knicks trigger a two-man strike. Cleverly, KD shifts James Johnson who causes the foul. On the free throw line, the Nets winger does not tremble and offers a great victory to his team (112-110).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
KD’s basketball IQ. Without doubt the best striker on the planet, Kevin Durant showed tonight that he was besides being talented, very intelligent in the game. While he had just scored 11 points in the last act and everyone knew the last shot would be for him, the former Warriors winger waited for the two-way take to open James Johnson. Where many players would have wanted to end up as a hero, he wanted to put the collective above all else. A choice that pays off.
Le mental des Knicks. While the Nets dominated at the start of the second half, Randle and his gang hardened their tone physically. The contribution of the bench was also important. Since the start of the season, this team has shown less solidarity and determination than last year. Tonight, we found the team that finished 4th in the Eastern Conference last year.
Free throws. The Nets win on two shots, and it is the symbol of their aggressiveness. Kevin Durant’s teammates shoot 25 shots, compared to 12 for the Knicks. After the game, Tom Thibodeau felt that the Nets had benefited from a house refereeing, and he complained about the lack of whistles on the drives of Julius Randle.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ James Harden. More altruistic than in the past, James Harden was keen to take the game on his own very quickly tonight. Even if he let KD take matters into his own hands at the end of the game, his 15 points in the first act show that he is getting back in shape. Even if we see him less this season, he is able, in major meetings, to strike.
✅ Alec Burks. He’s not the most well-known of the Knicks, but he’s capable of catching fire at any time. Offset playmaker, he confirmed that he was essential in the Thibodeau system. 25 points for the former Jazz player and taking responsibility in important moments. He and Randle were the driving forces behind the Knicks’ return in Act 3.
✅ ⛔ Kevin Durant. He was not successful in the first three acts, but his last quarter is perfect. He never doubts and his 11 points in the last six minutes, and his assist for the throws of Johnson, eclipse his general awkwardness (9/25 on shots including 0/5 at 3 points).
THE FOLLOWING
New York (11-10) : Evan Fournier will meet his friend Nikola Vucevic on Thursday with the reception of the Bulls.
Brooklyn (15-6) : Friday, the Nets receive one of the teams in form of the moment, Minnesota.
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