Red-hot Nets topple Knicks
Irving, Harden lead Brooklyn win
Kyrie Irving scored 34 points, James Harden welcomed himself to New York’s basketball rivalry with his 10th triple-double of the season, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Knicks 117-112 on Monday night.
Harden finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in his first game against the Knicks since arriving in Brooklyn two months ago and turning the Nets into one of the NBA’S best teams.
The Nets agreed to the deal that brought Harden to Brooklyn on Jan. 13, playing short-handed that night at Madison Square Garden in a 116-109 victory over the Knicks. That made them just 7-6, but they are 20-7 since Harden’s arrival, including 19-4 when at least two of their three superstars play.
Jeff Green scored 20 points as the Nets won for the 13th time in 14 games, even with Kevin Durant sitting out the last 12 of them with a strained left hamstring.
Julius Randle had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Knicks, who are in a tough stretch with Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in their first four games after the Allstar break.
Hornets 122, Kings 116: Terry Rozier scored 26 points, Gordon Hayward added 25 and Charlotte overcame a 15-point deficit in the second half.
Bucks 133, Wizards 122: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his third consecutive triple-double to lead Milwaukee past Washington.
Spurs 109, Pistons 99: Dejounte Murray had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead a balanced attack as San Antonio beat Detroit.
Note: The NBA said Monday that an investigation into whether Utah Jazz player Elijah Millsap had a bigoted remark directed at him during an end-of-season interview six years ago has ended and was unable to find proof that the statement was made.