Kevin Durant has 37, Nets beat Jazz to extend good stretch

Already with out Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, the Brooklyn Nets had been down one other starter to sickness and misplaced one to harm.

They nonetheless had Kevin Durant, and that was sufficient in opposition to Utah.

“He made us pay,” Jazz ahead Rudy Homosexual mentioned.

Durant had 37 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists, and the Nets beat the Jazz 114-106 on Monday night time for his or her sixth win in seven video games.

Bruce Brown added 22 factors for the Nets, who stayed in sole possession of eighth place within the Japanese Convention. Nic Claxton, beginning for ailing heart Andre Drummond, made all 5 photographs and scored 11 within the Nets’ 38-point third quarter that broke open the sport.

Durant scored 15 in that interval and mentioned Brooklyn’s robust play these days has been a workforce effort.

“I simply assume we’re rallying round one another,” he mentioned. “We’re making large performs, we’re simply doing it collectively greater than something. It’s only a collective effort.”

Largely, it is Durant. Homosexual was requested how a two-point sport received away from Utah so shortly within the third.

“KD had like 20 factors. That’s in all probability the beginning,” Homosexual mentioned.

He mentioned Durant punished Utah for strategic errors, which included having facilities Rudy Gobert and Hassan Whiteside attempting to include the celebrity ahead at occasions.

“We heard they had been beginning to swap, so actually it was simply get him the ball and get out of the best way,” Brown mentioned. “We all know Gobert and Hassan can’t stick with him in any respect.”

Claxton completed with 15 factors.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 for the Jazz, who had their three-game profitable streak snapped. Jordan Clarkson added 19 and Mike Conley had 18 factors and 7 assists after sitting out a victory Sunday at New York to relaxation his proper knee.

The Nets’ two-point halftime lead was down to at least one earlier than play even started within the second half after they got a technical foul for a second delay of sport violation. However then Claxton made the primary two baskets within the third to get their large quarter going.

A ten-0 run halfway via the interval prolonged a three-point result in 75-62 on a basket by Durant, and he made consecutive 3-pointers to make it 84-68 with 2:52 to go within the third.

The sport appeared totally within the Nets’ management when Durant’s 3-pointer made it 108-87 halfway via the fourth, however Utah put collectively a 19-4 surge that trimmed it to 112-106 with 57 seconds to play. Durant then halted Utah’s momentum by throwing a lob move that Claxton slammed down with 37 seconds remaining.

Drummond was out with an sickness not associated to COVID-19. Nets guard Seth Curry, who came visiting with him and Simmons within the commerce for James Harden, then missed the second half with a sprained left ankle.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Royce O’Neale missed all 4 photographs from the sector and had two factors. … Trent Forrest returned after lacking 5 video games with a sprained proper wrist and was 1 of 6 for 4 factors. … The Jazz are 1-1 on a six-game highway journey.

Nets: Goran Dragic began regardless of left knee soreness from what coach Steve Nash mentioned was a fall throughout Brooklyn’s victory over Portland on Friday. … The Nets used their fortieth completely different beginning lineup of the season. … With LaMarcus Aldridge out with a proper hip harm, Nash mentioned it is doable rookie Day’Ron Sharpe could possibly be recalled from the NBA G League for Brooklyn’s upcoming two highway video games if Drummond’s sickness lasts past Tuesday.

BEN’S BAD BACK

Nash mentioned Simmons’ harm was a herniated disk, a problem he had earlier in his profession that had flared up once more. Nash mentioned he nonetheless believes Simmons will play this season, even with solely 10 regular-season video games remaining.

NORTH OF WEST

Durant handed Corridor of Famer Jerry West (25,192 factors) to maneuver into twenty second place on the NBA’s profession scoring record. Subsequent up for Durant, who has 25,213, is Reggie Miller with 25,279.

HARRIS UPDATE

The Nets introduced that Joe Harris had left ankle ligament reconstruction surgical procedure Monday in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. He’s anticipated to be prepared by the beginning of coaching camp.

UP NEXT

Jazz: Go to Boston on Wednesday.

Nets: Go to Memphis on Wednesday.