The Brooklyn Nets overcame the New Orleans Pelicans by 108 to 102 away from home on Friday night.
While CJ McCollum scored for the Pelicans, Kevin Durant starred for the Nets with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram continued to be sidelined due to injuries for the hosts. New Orleans persevered to the very end, even without its main stars.
In the first quarter, the Pelicans were ahead by 24 to 14, but Durant led the reaction from Brooklyn and, shortly after, the score was 28 to 27 for the owners of the house.
Right at the beginning of the second period, New Orleans returned to accelerate the game and held the opponent.
As a result, Devonte’ Graham left at 45 to 30. However, the Nets reacted once again and, at the end of the first half, the score was 64 to 53 for the Pelicans.
On the return of the break, Durant commanded the Nets to turn the score in 70 to 69, after Royce O’Neale’s basket of three.
From then on, the two teams began to exchange baskets, but the Pelicans wanted to open the lead again and led by 85 to 80. Only Brooklyn scored eight unanswered points to close the third period ahead by 88 to 85.
Already in the final 12 minutes, nobody opened above three points until Durant left it at 96 to 92, with a basket of three.
So who shined at the last minute was Kyrie Irving. Off for most of the game, the point guard scored seven points in 72 seconds, ensuring the victory for the Nets.
“Our growth as a team is just seeing some of the leaders on our team, including myself, be poised,” Kyrie Irving said
“That’s probably where I feel like we’re making incredible strides in games like this.” he added.
