Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant lead Nets past Cavs in play-in for No. 7 seed

Kyrie Irving had 34 factors and 12 assists, Kevin Durant added 25 factors and 11 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets took the No. 7 seed within the Japanese Convention by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-108 on Tuesday night time within the play-in opener.

The Nets raced to a 20-point lead after one quarter and turned the Cavaliers away time and time once more to earn a matchup with No. 2 seed Boston in a collection that begins Sunday.

Irving made his first 12 pictures earlier than a 3-pointer rimmed out within the fourth quarter. He completed 12 for 15.

A preseason NBA Finals favourite who sputtered by means of a turbulent season and had been in tenth place coming into the final week of the common season, the Nets have run off 5 straight wins. With Durant and Irving, they’re way more harmful than the same old No. 7 seed.

And each are keen to offer the ball to teammates who’re capitalizing after they get it. Bruce Brown had 18 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists, whereas Andre Drummond scored 16 factors.

Darius Garland scored 34 factors for the Cavaliers, who’ve one other probability to earn the No. 8 seed. They may host the winner of the Atlanta-Charlotte recreation on Friday, with the winner shifting on to face No. 1 seed Miami.

Brooklyn and Cleveland each went 44-38 however the Nets clinched the tiebreaker by beating the Cavs at Barclays Heart final Friday to complete 3-1 in opposition to them. Cleveland was assured it might come again to Brooklyn and win, although it was clear shortly simply how troublesome that might be.

The Nets made practically 71% of their pictures within the first quarter — Irving and Durant mixed to make all eight of theirs — and closed the interval with a 15-3 spurt that made it 40-20. It was an even bigger lead than Brooklyn had in any first quarter throughout the common season.

The offense sputtered, because it often does, when Durant went to the bench to begin the second and Cleveland went on a 9-2 run to chop it to 13. The margin stayed proper round there the rest of the half, with the Cavs lacking plenty of open appears earlier than Irving’s jumper on the buzzer made it 57-43. That made him 9 for 9 on the break.

The Cavaliers, attempting to increase a shocking season that noticed them double their win complete from a season in the past, saved chipping away within the second half. However they’d too typically miss an open 3-pointer or hand over an additional possession on an offensive rebound that the Nets would benefit from.

Nic Claxton had 13 factors and 9 rebounds for Brooklyn.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Evan Mobley scored 19 factors and Kevin Love had 14 factors and 13 rebounds. … The Cavaliers remained with out All-Star middle Jarrett Allen due to a damaged finger.

Nets: Irving’s 9-for-9 first half wasn’t even his finest for Brooklyn. He was 10 for 10 in opposition to Chicago on Jan. 31, 2020. … Brooklyn went 1-3 in opposition to Boston throughout the common season. The Nets beat the Celtics 4-1 within the first spherical final season. … Goran Dragic returned after lacking the tip of the common season in well being and security protocols. He had three factors in 10 minutes.

SUBWAY SHOOTING

The Nets and the New York Liberty Basis introduced earlier than a second of silence that they had been donating $50,000 to assist those that had been injured after not less than 10 individuals had been shot on a subway Tuesday. The capturing occurred on the subway cease closest to the Nets’ coaching facility.

SIMMONS STATUS

Nash mentioned Ben Simmons is shifting higher and doing extra capturing, however there nonetheless was no timetable for when he might lastly play for the Nets. Simmons, who sat on the bench sporting an identical inexperienced jacket and shorts, has battled again issues since not lengthy after being acquired from Philadelphia in February.

“So positively constructive indicators, enhancing and shifting and all these issues, however like I mentioned he hasn’t been working full velocity or enjoying in opposition to anyone,” Nash mentioned. “So nonetheless a whole lot of markers to fulfill.”

CENTER OF ATTENTION

Allen appeared poised to return for the play-in recreation, however the Cavaliers’ massive man isn’t fairly prepared.

Bickerstaff mentioned the All-Star, who got here to Cleveland from the Nets in a commerce final season, did particular person drills the previous two days, when the crew’s focus at follow needed to be on the out there gamers to prepare for Brooklyn.

“He’s doing nicely,” mentioned coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who has been with out Allen for greater than a month. “He’s understanding; he’s beginning to do extra with each arms. We’re simply sort of in a wait-and-see.”