OKLAHOMA CITY – Even with the NBA’s top scorer sitting out, the Brooklyn Nets matched Friday’s franchise record for the most points in a management game, dropping 147 on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a win 22-point.
“We’re getting in there. … We’re slowly moving forward on both ends of the floor,” coach Steve Nash said. “We struggled defensively at times, but we’re getting firmer with our game plan defensively. Offensively, you’re starting to see a little more flow. You’re see James [Harden] able to manage the game that way and handle the defense. “
By a quarter, the Nets scored 36, 40, 39 and 32, building an early lead and scoring consistently throughout the game. They fired 57% from the field, hit 19 3-pointers and had 33 team fans.
With Kevin Durant sitting as part of a rest plan as he continues to work back from his Achilles injury, Kyrie Irving and Harden took the reins, coming together for 50 points – 25 apiece.
“We’re catching the rhythm, obviously, offensively,” Harden said. “But defensively as well. We are learning our strengths and weaknesses and what we can do better. “
The Nets ’offensive explosion has continued to pick up, with 10 of their last 11 games showing at least 110 points. But they have also been, to put it kindly, gradually on the defensive end. The Thunder, who entered the last game in offensive efficiency, added up 125 points while firing 46.5% off the floor.
“Knowledge is growing, on every floor. [But] we have a long way to go to defense, “Nash said. We are not the forte or the strong suit, but we need to be clean with our game plan and talk and participate in our actions. “
Harden and Irving spent various parts of the game arranging on their own when Nash suspended their minutes. But there were also long pieces in which they played apart, with Harden doing the usual thing of isolation and kicking, while Irving ignited his finishing ability in the paint.
“I always say I don’t take any days off. This doesn’t happen often in history where this group is together at this stage,” Irving said. “Some of the boys started their teams last year; some of the boys are MVP candidates. And to get all that collective talent and not get the most out of it, we would disrespecting ourselves, so we just want to keep pushing each other and holding each other to account. “
Harden gave credence to the overall improving communication among the group, with assignments, contracts and changes clearly announced throughout the game. Irving and Harden were at the start of the scoring, but there was a good balance to the game as well, with a total of nine players finishing in double figures.
“It’s very satisfying any time you win, but anytime the whole team plays well and you do great things as a gathering group, it definitely stands out. of the rest, “Irving said.
The Nets have won four straight and are 6-2 since trading for Harden. There have been some rough spots at times, with Harden going to stretch less in the offense, or dipping Irving ‘s effectiveness, but the chemistry has picked up, Nash said. , and it is only something he intends to develop.
“Offensely, I think boys get to feel and rhythm each other, the way boys like to play, where they like the ball, how they like to be. moving, cutting and playing apart, “he said.
Harden said the Nets are monitoring the process, noting that it will only become more difficult as the season progresses. As the games get bigger and the season gets smaller, there will be more insight into the chemistry of the Nets and how they will be executed.
“We’re getting a challenge every night; we’re going to get everyone’s favorite issue,” Irving said, “but what we’re doing now is just finding the continuity to harness our strengths. “