Harden, KD star as Nets edge Bucks
NEW YORK — James Harden missed a jumper with a chance for the lead, tracked down the rebound and fired it out to a wide-open Kevin Durant.
Plays like that are why the Brooklyn Nets will be such tough opponents after reuniting the multi-time scoring champions. Even when teams stop one superstar, another might be there waiting.
“This is what they do. They wake up, come to the game and they score 30,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “If you’re not aggressive and you’re not locked in against them, they’re going to score 50.”
Durant made the go-ahead 3pointer with 36 seconds left, Harden had 34 points and 12 assists, and the Nets edged the Bucks 125-123 on Monday. They are 2-0 since last week’s acquisition of Harden, who is averaging 33 points in his new uniform.
“We’re still trying to find our way and we’ve still got room to improve, but it’s a solid start,” Durant said.
Durant finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists to give the Nets their fourth straight victory in a game in which two of the East’s best went toe-to-toe right down to a tense finish that ended when Khris Middleton missed a potential winning 3pointer from the corner.
“It’s a huge win for us,” Harden said. “This is our second game together and we haven’t had one practice.”
Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee, which had its four-game winning streak stopped. Middleton added 25 points and Jrue Holiday had 22.
Kyrie Irving missed his seventh straight game after leaving the team for personal reasons, with Nets coach Steve Nash saying he could return Wednesday in Cleveland.