Aldridge reaches 20,000 points as Nets beat Pacers

NEW YORK >> LaMarcus Aldridge scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half, reaching 20,000 for his career, to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 105-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

James Harden broke out of an early season slump with 29 points and Kevin Durant added 22 as the Nets evened their record at 3-3.

Aldridge became the 48th player in league history and the seventh active player to score 20,000 points.

“He has scorer’s instincts,” Durant said. “(It’s a) huge accomplishment. ...(A) huge milestone.”

Indiana dropped to 1-5 overall and 0-4 on the road despite 28 points from Torrey

Craig. Chris Duarte added 19, Domantas Sabonis contributed 16 and Jeremy Lamb chipped in with 12.

The Nets started slowly against a Pacers team that was playing without Isaiah Jackson (hyperextended right knee) and former Net Caris LeVert (stress fracture in his lower back) and trailed by 16 after Craig knocked down an 11-foot jumper with 9:17 left in the second quarter. But Brooklyn finished the quarter with a 28-9 run to lead 58-55 at halftime. Harden scored 13 points in that stretch.

HEAT 114, HORNETS 99 >> Jimmy Butler scored 32 points, Bam Adebayo had 26 points and 19 rebounds on the night his Olympic gold-medalist banner was unveiled and Miami held off Charlotte.

Tyler Herro scored 26 points off the bench for Miami, which wasted most of a 26-point first-half lead. The Heat were 19 for 19 from the foul line for the second time this season and outrebounded Charlotte 60-37.

Gordon Hayward scored 23 points for Charlotte, and Miles Bridges had 22. KINGS 113, PELICANS 109 >> De’Aaron Fox scored 23 points, Richaun Holmes added 21 and Sacramento beat New Orleans to remain unbeaten on the road this season.

Harrison Barnes had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Buddy Hield scored 20 points for Sacramento, which has started the season with three road victories and two home losses.

Jonas Valanciunas had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans, who briefly led late in the third quarter before Hield scored six straight points to give the Kings the lead for good.

Playing without star forward Zion Williamson, who is recovering from offseason foot surgery, the Pelicans have dropped five of their first six games.

RAPTORS 110, MAGIC 109 >> Fred VanVleet scored 16 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Scottie Barnes had 21 points and Toronto beat Orlando,

Gary Trent Jr. added 19 points and made a crucial defensive play on the final possession.

Cole Anthony shot 5 for 6 from 3-point range and scored 24 points for Orlando. Jalen Suggs added 21.