Nets – Wizards: a new Kevin Durant demonstration

After a month of almost nothing in November, the Nets are in the process of rebuilding their health at home. After the Blazers after the Magic, the New Yorkers were able to repel the Wizards without fear (113-107), thanks to a Kevin Durant who was always above the lot.

This meeting is often played in one or two possessions, the Nets leading after one (29-28), two (57-53) then three quarters (80-77). Under the impetus of Kyrie Irving, author of 15 of his 27 points in the final period, the Nets expanded the most important gap.

Three minutes from time, Irving missed a left-handed finish in the circle past Kristaps Porzingis but late-game shadowy Royce O’Neale grabbed an offensive rebound to give the in-form Joe Harris a chance to voluntarily give 3-points.

Then, after a wild ball from Kyrie Irving on penetration, followed by a scramble from the Wizards in favor of the Nets, the same O’Neale grabbed another offensive rebound before finding Irving behind the arc. His winning shot thus offers the most important advantage to his team (105-94) two minutes from the end.

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

– The fourth quarter was interrupted. The most offensive quarter is not the most pleasant to watch. Both teams were quick on the penalty, the plethora of whistles generated a number of passages at the free throw line. The season took a slower turn as Jacque Vaughn continued to adjust his five as Nic Claxton was used on defense to defend Kristaps Porzingis but Cam Thomas was brought back as a pivot for offensive phases. The Wizards were less original but were unable to recover the two or three late possessions where they suffered until the end.

– The rebound, always the rebound. At this rate, it’s hard to imagine the Nets not being tempted to bolster their spirits in the coming weeks. Despite the work of Royce O’Neale in the last moments, the New Yorkers still dominated the rebound (35-51), especially receiving 14 offensive rebounds to the Wizards. Brooklyn is the league’s worst team in offensive rebounds allowed. As a result, their opponents did what they wanted with the racket (58 points were scored, against 32 for the Nets).

– Stars then that’s it. In the score breakdown, we noticed that the Wizards’ three big men, Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, scored 25 points or more. While Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving scored almost 60% of the Nets’ points (66 of 113). Others… ?

– The Nets are finally on the positive side. The New Yorkers have yet to exceed 50% wins this season. It ended thanks to this third consecutive victory. Since their very poor start with one win and five losses, they have won just 11 of their last 17 outings. So they stole 8th place in their conference from their opponents on the night, who still have a balanced balance. The Nets have replayed four straight times at home, only against Eastern teams (Raptors, Celtics, Hornets and Hawks).

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Kevin Durant. ” He is the best player in the world. And he’s coming off a 45-point game? You have to believe that his confidence is unwavering. Kristaps Porzingis can only admit defeat in front of the new “KD” demonstration. This one, still produced at peak efficiency, averages nearly 40 points over three games. ” We’ve already seen him put together 30-point games when he won the MVP title, right? Hopefully he can continue and maintain that 40 point average Kyrie Irving’s wish.

✅ Kristaps Porzingis. After his 41 points against the Wolves, he continues a new massive performance marked by a career record in rebounds. The Latvian is more effective shooting than his two shooting partners, Beal and Kuzma. Even the inside surprisingly dropped five free throws along the way.

⛔ Barton. There are many wrong players in this match, but we chose to zoom in on the former Nuggets player, author of one of his worst matches in Washington. He brought almost nothing in 14 minutes. His poor performance reflected his struggles since his transition in the offseason. From the holder in Denver, he became a replacement: his average points dropped by half and his address sank (36%…).

THE FOLLOWING

Nets (12-11) : welcoming the Raptors, Friday.

Wizards (11-11) : travel to Charlotte, Friday.