Durant’s ‘historic’ effort gives Nets lead in series
The Nets’ Kevin Durant shoots over the Bucks’ Pat Connaughton in the fourth quarter, when Durant had 20of his 49points.
NEW YORK>> Kevin Durant had 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in one of the most spectacular performances in postseason history, sending the Brooklyn Nets back into the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
With James Harden returning but delivering little offense and Kyrie Irving out, Durant played all 48 minutes and shot 16 for 23 from the field. He scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, perhaps the biggest shot a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left and the Nets protecting a onepoint lead.
“He put us on his back and he carried us throughout the whole game,” forward Jeff Green said.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP became the first player in NBA history to have at least 45 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a playoff game.
“Historic, historic performance,” Nets coach Steve Nash said.
Harden played for the first time since leaving 43 seconds into the series opener with right hamstring tightness. He shot just 1 for 10 and missed all eight 3-pointers, but had eight assists and six rebounds while playing 46 minutes.
Green made seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points for the Nets, who fell into a 17-point hole in this one after two losses in Milwaukee before Durant carried them back. Blake Griffin added 17 points.
Game 6 is Thursday in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are 4-0 against the Nets this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 25 points.
The Bucks had all the momentum after winning the two games in Milwaukee, with Irving spraining his ankle in the second quarter of Game 4. It appeared Durant would be the only one of the three stars to play Tuesday — which given the way he played, may have been enough anyway.
The Nets originally ruled Harden out on Monday, then upgraded him Tuesday first to doubtful and then questionable. He worked out before the game and seemed to be moving well, jogging off the court into the tunnel after his warmup before being cleared to play.
But he didn’t appear to have full strength in his leg, leaving jumpers short and rarely beating anyone on the dribble.
Durant made sure didn’t matter.
“Special performance by him,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Credit to him, some tough shots, so we’ve got to look at it, figure out getting better.”
The Nets were 4 for 20 in the first quarter, 2 for 13 on 3-pointers, and Middleton’s three-point play with 33 seconds left gave Milwaukee a 29-15 lead after one quarter.
The Bucks still led by 16 midway through the third quarter, answering every time the Nets seemed to have any momentum. But Durant then got hot and never really cooled off.
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