Nets top Cavs in 3 overtimes

CLEVELAND — DeMarre Carroll saved the day for the Nets, and D’Angelo Russell took advantage of the extra opportunity.

Russell scored 14 of his 36 points in the third overtime after Carroll’s desperation 3-pointer in the second OT tied the game, and the Nets outlasted the Cavaliers, 148-139, on Wednesday night.

Russell’s big finish wouldn’t have been possible if Carroll hadn’t shocked everyone with his buzzer-beating shot.

The fact the play wasn’t even designed for Carroll made the result even more improbable.

“It was for Joe (Harris) or Allen (Crabbe),” he said. “It was a broken play. I saw an opening and I took it.”

Cleveland seemed to have sealed the victory when Jordan Clarkson, who scored a career-high 42 points, hit a go-ahead jumper in the final minute to put the Cavaliers ahead and added two free throws for a 128-125 lead.

The Nets called timeout and Carroll was doubleteamed in the corner after taking the inbounds pass. He dribbled to his left and put up the shot. Carroll fell to the floor and was mobbed by his teammates, who stormed off the bench.

Russell, who is headed to play in his first All-Star game, scored two points in the first half and scored the Nets’ first 11 points in the third overtime, including two 3-pointers.

Russell’s teammates pulled him aside at halftime with a clear message.

“They kept pushing me,” he said. “They weren’t letting me get down. I made sure I got the ball.”

Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said: “He was really strong in the second half and all the overtimes, but that’s the sign of an AllStar.”