Kyrie Irving scores 35 as Nets take three-game losing skid, beating Pacers, 104-94

When you regain the franchise’s biggest halftime lead in nineteen years, you had better win and the Nets did.

Brooklyn certainly bounced back from three straight losses, displaying high energy and tremendous effort as the Nets beat the Pacers, 104-94. With the win, the Nets improved to 15-12 on the season and broke their most long losing streak this season … with a six-game losing streak at home against the Pacers – their longest losing streak at home against any team. With the loss, the Pacers fall below 0.500 at 12-13. It was their fourth straight loss.

“The things I was telling you about last night – the effort, the combat, the connectivity and what I told them is you can’t have fun like we play. Tonight there were a lot of smiles, a lot of joy and a lot of passion for their teammates and their work, ”Nash said after the victory. “It’s just something to build on. I’m proud of them for bringing it. We asked for it and they delivered. It’s a good sign.

Brooklyn came out of the gates shooting and playing well defensively, which, after giving up 120 points in eight straight games, was a welcome sign. Brooklyn’s defense held Indiana to just 18 points in the first quarter, the second-lowest points awarded in an opening spell this season. The Nets followed up their strong first period with an even stronger second – holding Indiana to 12 points in the second quarter while stacking 35 points in the period.

After entering the locker room with a 62-30 lead, the franchise’s biggest halftime lead since the Jason Kidd era, the Pacers turned the story around a bit, fighting from behind. Led by Domantas Sabonis, Indiana racked up 32 points in the third quarter, capitalizing on Brooklyn unforced errors and lack of return in transition.

The Nets opened the last 12 minutes of play with a 20-point lead. Despite the big lead, Indiana didn’t pull away easily as their confidence began to erupt. Despite a small push, the Nets kept their foot on the accelerator at both ends and released their bench at 1:41 left. The Nets have held a double-digit lead for 32 straight minutes, also a season-high.

Joe Harris noted the Nets’ defensive impact after the win, noting it was the best defense played all season, including key elements.

“We were definitely a lot more stuck, focused and the communication was there,” said Joe Harris after the win. “The effort was there and we were covering each other. We haven’t played defense like that most of the season, so it was really good to see us take a step in the right direction.

James Harden took it a step further, touching on the specific area in which Brooklyn excelled as a group.

“Communication has to be the key. Our grown-ups, especially DeAndre, have done an incredible job of communicating in this pick-and-roll. We know how important Brogdon and Sabonis pick-and-roll is, and our communication has been amazing and it shows. Harden continued, “Our pick-and-roll defense was excellent tonight.”

Kyrie Irving led the way for the Nets with a record 35 points, eight assists and four rebounds in 35 minutes of play. But his most impressive statistic was his success on the line. Irving went to the line 17 times and came away with 17 points. For the season, it is now at 95%. James Harden was also perfect, with 10 out of 10. The last time a starting guard combination hit 27 of 27? Harden and Russell Westbrook.

James Harden continued to be a double-double machine for Brooklyn, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds to go with five assists in 36 minutes of play. Harden had a double-double at the half, scoring his fourth double-double in first half of his career. Indeed, his 11 mid-term rebounds were the highest he had ever captured in a half during his career.

DeAndre Jordan rebounded in the win after being severely criticized during and after Tuesday’s game. Jordan recorded three blocks to go with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes.

As a team, Brooklyn finished the win with 42.1% overall and 29.0% in depth – recording 13 turnovers, including a 24-second late-game violation. The Nets fought a solid battle on the boards, 46-43, against two great producers.

As for Indiana, Donatas Sabonis scored 18 points in 35 minutes followed by Malcolm Brogdon with 15 points in 35 minutes. Indiana ended the loss shooting 39.1% from court and 39.5% from depth. They still suffer from the loss of Victor Oladipo in the four-team trade that brought Harden to Brooklyn.

The Nets kicked off the game to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Before the council, Irving took to center court to wish Chinese fans a Happy Lunar New Year.

With the arena draped in red and yellow, in the colors of the Chinese flag, the game also featured a video clip of Chinese pop star Hou Minghao showing views of Brooklyn and Nets highlights.

The cinema room

Well, that was definitely an improved effort, right? Wait, let me check something.

* Look at Indiana’s win / loss record ahead of tonight’s game *

Ah. Logic.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but after falling head first (no, literally) against the Detroit Pistons in the basement, the Nets were BIG with a strong titanium defensive showcase against a perennial team in the playoffs. I swear this season is becoming a big meme of Jekyll and Hyde swings from one game to another.

And guess what? You will never believe it. The villain (just kidding …) from the last game, DeAndre Jordan, was the hero of Brooklyn on Wednesday night, holding the All-Star Pacers forward with 7 of 20 shots. He more than held his ground against one of the best bigs in the league, mixing the armbands with his other raised hand, while also mixing his footwork to thwart the Lithuanian star.

Plus, it was his communication as Brooklyn’s defensive general that paid huge dividends on Wednesday – in a performance that teammate Joe Harris later said, “We didn’t play defense like that. . probably all season. “

Here’s what DJ had to say about the honor of controlling the flow of communication on the court.

“Not everyone will be a loud speaker and communicator, but that’s okay. As long as we’re connected, I think it’s fine, DeAndre said. “I know I’m very shy but on the floor I talk a lot … I put a lot of that on myself and being able to go out and just communicate, be it calling games, telling guys to move on, different things, and just to commit to that end.

While Kyrie Irving’s scoring explosion was a sight to behold, I would say pretty strongly that DeAndre Jordan was Brooklyn’s best player on the court. From erasing Sabonis’ impact to communicating and rotating like a pro, DeAndre Jordan set the tone on Wednesday, and that was a big reason why Brooklyn’s defense was the way it was (really good! ). I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone when I say: More of that, DeAndre.

Harris fair value

As we noted, Joe Harris struck his four-year, $ 72 million deal, if not a bargain, fair value. Joe E. Buckets is now sixth all-time in three-point shooting and has hit better than 49% from depth averaging better than 15 points. Over the past seven games, however, he’s been getting better and better. Harris averages 17.0 points while hitting 56.6% overall and 52.8% depth. Wednesday night he continued, scoring 17 points on 6 of 11 shots in total and 3 of 7 from deep.

Harris was asked if he plans to take part in the 3-point shooting competition, a competition he won two years ago. “I wish everyone the best of luck,” he said impassively (or we assume he was impassive behind that mask. You decide.)

Barclays Center and Nets thank Caris LeVert with tribute video

Caris LeVert returned to the Barclays Center for the first time since her exchange … and underwent kidney surgery following the discovery of a small lump.

Before the start of the second quarter, the Nets released a one-minute tribute video, honoring LeVert’s tenure as Net. LeVert greeted the Brooklyn bench after the tribute video and was greeted by various Nets players, including Kyrie Irving, during the game and after the final buzzer. A majority of the team and Nets director of sports science Dan Meehan all gave LeVert a big hug.

Here is the full video of LeVert’s tribute video and his reaction.

Steve Nash opens up about the loss of Kevin Durant

Hot take: The Nets are better when Kevin Durant is in the lineup (!!). With the Nets only two days away from recovering their superstar after a confrontation with the NBA’s COVID-19 safety and health protocols, things wouldn’t have been easy without him. Steve Nash detailed how and where Brooklyn misses KD … on and off the floor.

“I think he gives the team confidence. He’s obviously one of the best players in the game and in the history of the game. But for our team he gives us confidence, ”Nash said ahead of the game. “I think he gives us size, which we sorely miss without him even with him, we are a small team … He brings a lot to the table whether he has the ball or not. It’s a big part of what we’re trying to get back soon.

Or as Sponge Bob might say …

By Will Hanley

And after

With the Nets sixth in a row in the books, Brooklyn will be back in action on Saturday when the team travels to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors – starting their five-game trip on the West Coast.

We’re hoping the game will feature the return of Kevin Durant, who missed four games due to three (and a half) games due to health and safety protocols. The Warriors are planning a tribute to the double MVP of the NBA Finals.

And on their return, the Nets will be cheered by the FANS! The Nets’ Feb. 23 game against the Kings at Barclays will feature a limited number of fans, according to an announcement by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier Wednesday.

For a different perspective, check out Indy Cornrows – our sister site Pacers for SB Nation.