Nets Comeback Aided By James Harden 40 Point Triple-Double
The Indiana Pacers were coming into this game with a record of 17–21 following a heartbreaking loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 15. Indiana has been in a slump recently, especially in the 4th quarter.
The Brooklyn Nets were coming into this game after a five point nail-biting win over the New York Knicks. Brooklyn entered this game with a five game win-streak following a win against New York.
The Pacers were without small forward T.J. Warren (Foot) and shooting guard Jeremy Lamb (Knee). Warren has been out since December 31st with a small left navicular stress fracture and Lamb has been out off and on with knee soreness after banging knees against the Knicks on February 27.
The Nets were going to be without point guard Spencer Dinwiddie as he’s been out since January with a torn ACL. All-Stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were also going to be out. Durant has had a nagging hamstring injury which kept him out of the All-Star game which he was the captain. Irving was out as caution because of groin soreness. Blake Griffin who the Nets acquired following the Detroit Pistons releasing him was also out left knee injury management.
Indiana’s starting five was guard Malcolm Brogdon, guard Caris LeVert, forward Justin Holiday, forward Domantas Sabonis and center Myles Turner.
Brooklyn’s starting five was guard Landry Shamet, guard James Harden, forward Bruce Brown, forward Joe Harris and center DeAndre Jordan.
In the first quarter the Indiana Pacers were moving the ball well and it was leading to great offensive possessions which led to a 40 point quarter for Indiana. 40 points is the season high for points in the first quarter for Indy.
Harden’s takeover started in the second quarter as he cut the Indiana fifteen point lead to three. The Pacers were bad on offense and defense in the second quarter, with Turner, who is their best interior defender getting into foul trouble early. The Pacers led at the half 61–58.
The third quarter was much of the same for Brooklyn once again getting over 30 points in the quarter, but the Pacers were able hang with them as they scored 31 points for the quarter. The Pacers led 91–89 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter is when Brooklyn took full control of the game as they held the Pacers lone All-Star Sabonis in check for the entirety of the second half as he only scored 2 points in the half. The Pacers had another fourth quarter meltdown falling to the Nets 124–115.
The Pacers have now lost eight of their last ten games and their sixth straight loss at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the first time since 1985 according to Chris Denari (Fox Sports Indiana).
When asked about the recent performance of the Indiana Pacers Sabonis said “We feel like these last four games, we’ve had them under control, we just can’t finish in the fourth quarter.” When asked about the same thing Turner said “ I think it’s mental at this point. — It’s just snowballs.”
The Pacers have been struggling to hold their leads as of late. This was LeVert’s first game at home and he went against his former team the Brooklyn Nets.
When asked how he felt playing 34 minutes he said “I felt pretty good,” while smiling. “I still don’t have my wind all the way and my legs are still a little heavy, and obviously I’m working my way back into rhythm and conditioning. But I feel better than last game.”
LeVert’s debut came Saturday, March 13 against the Phoenix Suns. He tallied 19 points and five assists. LeVert was battling with Left Kidney Carcinoma in January and February.
Brogdon led all Pacers in scoring with 24 points and Sabonis had a triple-double notching 18 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. The Indiana Pacers are now 17–22 and take on the Miami Heat on Friday, March 19.
The Nets have now won their sixth game in a row moving to 28–13 and are now tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Nets coach Steve Nash on Harden’s performance he said “It’s a remarkable performance, he made some huge plays down the stretch…All the other players played their part, but James was the main guy, as we have come to expect.”
Harden notched an impressive 40 point triple-double and Harris added 19 points. Jeff Green and Tyler Johnson played well off the bench for the Nets as they both scored 15 points off the bench.
The Nets will travel to Orlando to take on the Magic Friday, March 19.
