Indianapolis (USA), Apr 29 (EFE) .- Forward Kevin Durant posted a double-double of 42 points, including 22 in the third period, on Thursday, distributed 10 assists and led the Brooklyn Nets to a victory by 113-130 over the Indiana Pacers, decimated by the lack of point guard Kyrie Irving and guard James Harden.
Durant’s men built a double-digit lead in the second quarter and weren’t threatened the rest of the way.
Durant hit 16 of 24 shots from the field in his eighth start since he was out for nearly two months with a hamstring injury and confirmed he has found his best form.
The Nets’ star forward managed to break the 30-point barrier for the third time since returning recovered from a muscle injury, which interrupted him for another three games with a concussion.
The Nets (43-20) are 29-8 since Feb. 10, the best in the league, and have clinched a playoff spot for the third time in a row.
Backup power forward Alize Johnson emerged as the winning wow factor and the best in the inside game, scoring a double-double of 20 points and 21 rebounds for the Nets, his best season records.
Former Nets guard Caris LeVert scored 12 of his 36 points in the first quarter for the Pacers, but the Nets still led 28-35 after power forward Jeff Green’s 12 points in the period. Brooklyn’s lead came to 52-66 when the teams went into halftime.
Point guard Edmond Sumner added 16 points and forward Doug McDermott reached 15 for the Pacers, who lost starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon in the second quarter with a sore right hamstring.
The Pacers fell to 11-19 at home. At 29-33, they are on track for their second losing season since 2011.
(c) EFE Agency