Russell scores 36 as Nets top Cavs in 3 OTS
D’angelo Russell single-handedly took over the third overtime period and the Cavaliers lost a back-and-forth marathon of a game 148-139 to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavs and Nets entered that third overtime deadlocked at 128-128. Russell then caught fire, pouring in 11 points in a three-minute stretch that opened up a 139-131 Nets lead with 2:22 to go.
The Cavs battled back but couldn’t overcome Russell’s scoring surge, which included two more free throws with just over a minute to go.
Jordan Clarkson buried a 3-pointer with 1:05 left to cut the Nets’ lead to 141-137. But the Cavs simply couldn’t stop Russell, who, after draining the shot clock, nailed a 3-pointer to put the Nets up 44-139. That gave him 14 points in the period and 36 points overall and effectively put the game out of reach.
Clarkson finished with 42 points on 16-of34 shooting to become the first Cavs player to score at least both 30 and 40 points this contributed 24 points, six rounds and five assists and Marquese Chriss added 23 points and seven rebounds.
The Nets needed 3-pointer at the buzzer in the second overtime period and nailed it. Trailing 128-125, Demarre Caroll checked into the game and drilled a step-back 3-pointer to tie it, deflating a Cavaliers crowd that thought the game had been finally won.
Cavs’ Love to return after All-star break
Cavaliers forward Kevin Love sat out Wednesday night’s game against Brooklyn, but plans to increase his playing time following the All-star break. Love played nearly 16 minutes, scoring 14 points with nine rebounds, in Monday’s win over New York. Cleveland won’t play again until Feb. 21.
BUCKS 106, PACERS 97: Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 33 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists to help Milwaukee rally for a victory over Indiana.