EIGHT IS ENOUGH
Durant, Mills lead decimated Nets to OT win over Raptors
Decimated, but not down. Or defeated. COVID-19 couldn’t stop the Nets. Apparently neither could Toronto.
Despite playing without nine players — seven of them due to NBA health and safety protocols — the Nets rallied for a 131129 overtime win against Toronto before 17,325 at Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
They had just eight active players — the league minimum — and only one of their Big 3. But they made sure it was enough, with Kevin Durant — questionable with a sore ankle — refusing to sit out, which would have forced a postponement. The last star standing wouldn’t miss the game, and he wouldn’t let the Nets lose it.
“I just try to do what’s required, man. I want to be out there, I want to play, I want to win. So whatever I got to do to accomplish those three things I’m going to do,” Durant said.
“It’s December and we’re down seven players and we easily could’ve punted this game. … But we saw an opportunity for us to grow and get better — especially the young guys.”
Durant had a triple-double with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Patty Mills added 30 points — including 19 in the fourth quarter and overtime. Mills played alongside four rookies in the second quarter, as Durant did in the third.
The East-leading Nets (20-8) were without Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, Bruce Brown, DeAndre’ Bembry, Jevon Carter, James Johnson and Paul Millsap — the latter seven all due to positive or inconclusive COVID-19 tests. But the Nets refused to quit.
“Incredibly proud of these guys. They had every reason to find a way out, especially at the end when they’re exhausted and they got in a little rut, Toronto had mo