I there was any doubt that the Brooklyn Nets are currently the best NBA franchise in New York, star forward Kevin Durant, with 26 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two blocks cleared it by beating this Wednesday away from 109- 116 to his Knicks neighbors.
The victory came hours after the Nets had closed with the Houston Rockets the transfer of star guard James Harden in exchange for several players and first-round selection rights of the college draft. Durant was already scheduled to play the two nights in a row for the first time since surgery to repair his Achilles tendon in his right leg while he was still with the Golden State Warriors. Maybe he had to do a little more than planned after the Nets modified their roster by including several players who left the roster as part of the trade that also featured the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
With point guard Kyrie Irving missing a fifth straight game for personal reasons, the Nets only had nine players available to face the Knicks. But guard Bruce Brown had a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds and forward Joe Harris also scored 15 points as starters for the Nets, who won the second consecutive game and went back to a winning record of 7-6. Power forward Julius Randle led the Knicks ‘attack by scoring 30 points seven rebounds five assists and two ball recoveries, which did not prevent the Knick’s fourth consecutive loss. Forward RJ Barrett added 20 points and rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley, who came out of the reserve, finished as the sixth player for the Knicks (5-7), reaching 19 points that did not prevent defeat.
PISTONS 101-110 BUCKSGreek power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo confirmed that he is beginning to consolidate his production in all facets of the game by getting a triple-double that allowed the Bucks to beat the Detroit Pistons 101-110 on the road this Wednesday. Antetokounmpo had 22 points 10 rebounds and 10 assists that left the Bucks (8-4) with the third consecutive James Harden for the second time so far this season and tied 3-3 in games played out of their field.
Also, the Bucks defeated the Pistons (2-9) for the third time in competition this January. Antetokounmpo, who led a list of five Bucks players who had double-digit numbers, reached the 20th triple-double as a professional. Point guard Jrue Holiday, the Bucks’ great winter break signing of going further in his individual game and did so by contributing 21 points including three triples grabbing six rebounds, dishing five assists, recovering three balls, and put a plug.
The Pistons, who are still not improving in their game, again had forward Jerami Grant as their leader by contributing 22 points, which in the end did not avoid defeat. Ukrainian guard-forward Svi Mykhailiuk scored 18 and as a reserve became the sixth player for the Pistons, who were always down on the scoreboard. Power forward Blake Griffin was still not a winning factor for the Pistons, scoring just 12 points with seven rebounds and six assists in his individual match with Antetokounmpo.
