NETS FIRST EAST TEAM IN PLAYOFFS; LEBRON RETURN ‘COMING SOON’
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving combined for 26 points and led a balanced Brooklyn attack as the Nets became the first Eastern Conference team to punch a playoff ticket on Tuesday after a 116-103 victory over Toronto in Tampa.
The Nets overturned a sixpoint deficit with under 10 minutes remaining in the final quarter to pull away for a win that left them on top of the east with a 42-20 record.
Durant also had 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Irving had nine points on a night when seven Brooklyn players had double-digit outputs.
Solid performance
Jeff Green led Brooklyn with 22 points and the veteran Blake Griffin delivered another solid performance with 17 points in just 22 minutes. Joe Harris had 16 points while Landry Shamet had 14 off the bench.
Kyle Lowry had 24 points for the 2019 champions, while OG Anunoby had 21.
Nets coach Steve Nash saluted his team’s character for securing a playoff place despite injuries which have prevented their big three of Durant, James Harden and Irving from playing together regularly this season.
“We have our eyes on bigger things, but it’s a nice first step to clinch a berth,” Nash said. “For this group, facing all we’ve faced to be in this position with 10 games left is very positive.”
Help on the way
Meanwhile, help may be on the way for the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers after LeBron James, who has been out since injuring his ankle in a game on March 20, posted a clip on Instagram on Monday of him jogging in an empty arena and then making a layup. The caption began with: “Coming soon to a city near you.”
“It’s probably the Lakers organization who is going to tell you guys,” Dennis Schroder, who has been playing very well of late, said of James. “I mean, he’s close. I can tell you that much.”
Coach Frank Vogel and the Lakers have not offered a timetable for James’ return.
Elsewhere, the Washington Wizards saw their eightgame winning streak end one shy of tying the franchise record when they lost a shootout to the San Antonio Spurs, 146143, in overtime.
Washington is battling the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors for 10th place in the Eastern Conference and the final play-in tournament spot. The Wizards hold the 10th spot.