Harden has 25 points, 17 assists, Nets beat Blazers 116-112

James Harden had 25 factors and 17 assists to steer the Brooklyn Nets to a 116-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday evening.

Jeff Green completed with 20 factors, 15 within the first half and a pair of free throws to shut it out with 4.8 seconds left. Nicolas Claxton had 16 factors and 9 rebounds off the bench for Brooklyn, which performed with out Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The Nets additionally have been almost with out Harden, who stated he was near sitting out with a sore neck. But Harden, who has performed extra video games than anybody within the NBA since getting into the league in 2009 with 871, takes nice satisfaction in being out there for his crew.

“That’s just who I am, that’s just how I’m built,” Harden stated. “If this thing was done tomorrow, I know I gave everything I had. I know I didn’t shortcut at any point. It will be over one day but me in the back of my mind knowing, I have peace knowing I did that. I can live with that.”

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Enes Kanter had 19 factors, 19 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Damian Lillard had 22 factors and 9 assists for the Trail Blazers. Lillard and has backcourt associate McCollum had a troublesome evening towards the Nets, going to a mixed 10 for 35 (28%) from the sector.

“I think both teams played real good basketball, both teams competed throughout the beginning of the game, throughout the whole fourth quarter. They just made some extra couple of shots end of the quarter,” Kanter stated.

The Nets held the Blazers to only 21 factors within the fourth quarter and held Lillard scoreless within the last interval.

“Our sense of urgency and intensity on the defensive end has to be there, no question,” Harden stated. “I’m proud of the guys in the fourth quarter, because that’s what won us the game. We have to have the intensity to be as great as we can be.”

Kanter almost had a double-double within the first quarter, with 13 factors and eight rebounds to assist Portland take a 41-37. Portland led 66-65 at halftime.

Harden’s move to Claxton gave the Nets a 92-91 lead after three quarters. A layup by Blake Griffin, on Harden’s thirteenth help, gave the Nets a 105-97 lead, forcing one other Blazers timeout with 8:08 remaining.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Robert Covington minimize the Brooklyn result in 105-103. With the Nets main 114-111, the Blazers efficiently challenged a name to arrange a leap ball on the heart circle.

Derrick Jones Jr. gained the tip for Portland, which led to a Brooklyn foul towards Covington with 7.8 seconds remaining.

Covington missed the primary however made the second, making it 114-112, earlier than Green made his ending free throws.

TIP-INS

Blazers: After struggling the worst residence loss in franchise historical past on Sunday, the Blazers imagine it was the product of a uncommon poor capturing evening. “We’ve been a good shooting team all year. I think that was a little bit of an anomaly of Dame and CJ and (Carmelo Anthony) not making a 3. I think the offense will be better and that will help our defense.” … The Blazers had two gamers faraway from the lineup simply earlier than tip-off, with Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little each getting into the league’s well being and security protocols.

Nets: Durant, who has been out since Feb. 15 and has missed 18 video games since Feb. 6, is nearer to a return. Nets coach Steve Nash says that Durant is understanding on the ground, however that he’s in a “crucial” a part of his rehabilitation that will not be improved by flying throughout the nation. “He has to close that critical last stage of his rehab. He is on the court every day and looks great. But he’s making sure that strength is there. We need to make sure he’s coming back to play safely. If this was the playoffs, there’s a chance he would be back very soon. But there’s no point in taking a big risk at this point in the season.” … Harden was a game-time choice with a sore neck. “I would play Jesus tonight if I could,” Nash stated earlier than the sport.

BRINGING GRIFFIN ALONG

Griffin performed in his second recreation with the Nets. He stays on a minutes restriction, with Nash saying any improve in Griffin’s workload can be “very, very gradual.”

“I definitely don’t want to get excited,” Nash stated. “We have to remember he’s played one game in basically a month. He could play more minutes but I don’t want to jeopardize his long term health.”

Griffin completed with eight factors and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes.

UP NEXT

Blazers: Start a four-game Eastern Conference street journey towards Miami on Thursday.

Nets: Visit the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz on Wednesday.