In a basketball-crazy city, it’s amazing to think that Monday marked the first time in eight years that the Nets and the Knicks faced each other with a winning record.
The Nets did not take long to plunge the Nucks from the ranks of the winners, beating their cross-river rivals 117–112 before 1,637 at the Barclays Center.
The Nets (27-13) have won an NBA-high five straight and 13 of 14 to pull one half game behind former-leading Philadelphia.
Kyrie Irving led by a game-high 34 points and James Harden’s triple-double. But for the Nets, they are less focused on claiming New York and more concerned about winning the NBA.
“It’s fair,” Steve Nash said. “You certainly don’t want to lose to your neighbors. [But] At the same time, we have to improve every night. It is still a team trying to solidify our identity, our roles in how we play on both ends of the floor. The goal is to improve every night.
“Fortunately, two things can go by hand. If we take care of business… we should put ourselves in a winning position. “
The Knicks (20-20) have made real strides this season, developing a strong defensive identity under coach Tom Thibodo and sitting firmly in the playoff picture. All-Star Julius Randle entered the team-high 31 points, but Brooklyn held the Knicks to 40.2 percent shooting, and performed at the other end.
The Nets shot 57.9 percent, including a season-high 62.5 percent in the first half when they seized the command and never gave it back. They played without Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, but it hardly mattered.
After the Nets cut the lead to 18 points in the waning seconds, Irving’s defense forced a trip by Randall to Ryan for just three seconds, allowing Hearn to hit a game-clocking foul shots. Irving proved a tough cover for Knicks crook Emanuel Quickley, who was 21 at the start of his first career.
“Every night you are going to face a dynamic player. Kairi asserted his authority at the top of the list, the way he can handle the ball, ”said Thibodo. “It is also set with his shoot. The man is a great shooter, a great finisher. He can make everyone a crime by himself. He is a crime to himself.
“Everything I love is Emmanuel. Every day he learns. Hence the way he is growing. He is a student of sports. It will be a good challenge. “
Harden – who missed the Jan. 13 meeting at the Garden because his trade had already been agreed hours earlier, and had not been finalized – had 21 points, 15 assists and 15 boards. It was his 10th triple-double in just 26 matches with the Nets, which was just two shy of Jason Kidd’s team record in 2006–07 and then the following season.
“He is great. He has been a great leader. His motive is pure: he wants the team to win. He is always trying to improve the group, offensively, defensively, ”Nash said. “He is incredible. I knew the player on the floor, but I did not know the personality and the leader and I could not be more impressed with him. “
Natalie trailed the Nets 18-11 with seven minutes left in the first quarter on a quick jumper, they were knocked out of the next eight straight sets to take the lead.
Brooklyn scored an extended 34–12 run together, which scattered the first and second quarters, hitting 13 from the floor to 16 and upsetting the Nucks on 5 of 18.
After three Harden free throws, Brooklyn led 45–30 with 9:45 left in the half.
Brooklyn led 65–47 over the Irving Finger Roll, and held a Nike rally led by Randley and Quickley.
Alec Berkus’ 3-pointer put the lead to 107-101 with 5:37 to play, and a drive by RJ Barrett (23 points) on the next trip cut it to four and sent Brooklyn to a timeout.
Irving hit the line and made one of two, and Harden’s floater made it 110-103, with 2:44 left. Randall made it four of them, but Irving hit the line again with 1:37 left in regulation. And after Jeff Green (20 points) snapped a Burke miss after a rebound, Harden gave up a pair with 28.6 seconds left to seemingly make it to the ice.
The Nets gave up the duck by Barrett and Randall, and when the Knicks aggressively fielded an inbound and Barrett tied Joe Harris, Nikki won the jump ball. The Knicks had possession and a chance in tie 3, but Irving’s defense forced a trip by Randall with just three seconds left in regulation.
Hardik’s free throws were sure that there was no extra time.
“[They’re] Very well trained, not going to beat myself up. They are going to work hard, they are going to defend. He now has an All-Star and Julius Randall, and [Barrett] Is special, ”Nash said. “This team is impressive.”
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