Kyrie Irving scored 35 when the Nets lost three times, beating the Pacers 104-94

If you build the franchise’s biggest rest period lead in NINETEEN years, you’ll win better and have the Nets.

Brooklyn certainly bounced back from three consecutive losses, with great energy, along with a great effort, as the Nets defeated the Pacers 104-94. the season … along with a six-game home loss to the Pacers – their longest home losing streak against any team. With the loss, the Pacers fall below 0.500 to 12-13. It was their fourth consecutive loss.

‘The things I talked to you about last night – effort, fighting, connection and what I told them, are that you can not play as well as we do. “Tonight there were a lot of smiles, a lot of joy and a lot of passion for their teammates and work,” Nash said after the victory. “Only this is something to build on. I’m proud of those who brought it. We asked for it and they delivered. This is a wonderful sign. ‘

Brooklyn shot out of the gates and played defensively well, which after giving up 120 points in eight consecutive games, was a welcome sign. Brooklyn’s defense held Indiana to just 18 points in the first quarter, the second lowest points in an opening period this season. The Nets followed their strong first period with an even stronger second point – and held Indiana to 12 points in the second quarter while stacking 35 in the period.

After entering the locker room with a 62-30 lead, the franchise’s biggest halftime lead since the Jason Kidd era, the Pacers turned the text around a bit and struggled from behind. Led by Domantas Sabonis, Indiana piled up 32 points in the third quarter, taking advantage of Brooklyn’s unforced errors and lack of return in the transition.

The Nets opened the last 12 minutes of play with a 20-point lead. Despite the big lead, Indiana did not easily disappear as their confidence began to sparkle. Despite a slight pressure, the Nets keep their foot on the gas pedal on both sides and leave their bench with 1:41 left. The Nets took a double lead 32 consecutive minutes, also a season high.

Joe Harris noted the Nets’ impact defensively after the win and noted how it was the best defense all season, including key elements.

“We were definitely a lot more locked up, focused, and the communication was there,” Joe Harris said following the win. “There was trouble and we fell for each other. We haven’t played that defensively all season yet, so it was definitely good to see us take a step in the right direction. ”

James Harden went deeper and touched on the specific area that Brooklyn excelled as a group.

Communication must be the key. Our greats, especially DeAndre, did an incredible job of communicating in that choice. We know how important it is to pick and choose Brogdon and Sabonis, and our communication was incredible and it showed. Harden continued: “Our defense was good tonight.”

Kyrie Irving paved the way for the Nets with a game-high 35 points, eight assists and four rebounds in 35 minutes of play. But his most impressive stat was his success on the line. Irving is on the line 17 times and gets away with 17 points. For the season, he now stands at 95 percent. James Harden was also perfect and won it 10 to 10. The last time a starting guard combination goes 27-of-27? Harden and Russell Westbrook.

James Harden was still a double-double machine for Brooklyn and finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds to be with five assistants in 36 minutes of play. Harden had a double doubling in the half, which was his fourth career in the first half. Indeed, his 11 rebounds at the center point were the most he has ever grabbed in a half over his career.

DeAndre Jordan jumped back into the win after being criticized during and after Tuesday’s game round. Jordan scored three blocks to go play along with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes.

As a team, Brooklyn took the victory with 42.1 percent and overall 29.0 percent of the depth – with 13 turnovers, including a 24-second offense. The Nets fought a solid battle on the boards, 46-43, against two productive greats.

In terms of Indiana, Donatas Sabonis scored 18 points in 35 minutes, followed by Malcolm Brogdon with 15 points in 35 minutes. Indiana recorded the loss with 39.1 percent off the field and 39.5 percent from the depth. They are still saddened by the loss of Victor Oladipo in the foursome that brought Harden to Brooklyn.

The Nets started the game with the celebration of the Moon New Year. Before the tip, Irving took the central court to wish Chinese fans a happy lunar new year.

With the arena draped in red-and-yellow, the colors of the Chinese flag, the game also features a music video of Chinese pop star Hou Minghao set against Brooklyn views and Nets highlights.

The movie room

Well, that was definitely an improved effort, wasn’t it? Wait, let me see something.

* View Indiana’s win / loss record before tonight’s game *

Ag. Makes sense.

Stop me if you’ve heard it before, but after I first fell (no, literally) against the Detroit Pistons in the basement, the Nets showed up BIG with a titanium-strong defensive window against a longtime playoff team. I swear, this season is going to be a big ole ‘meme of Jekyll and Hyde game-to-game swing.

And guess what? You will never believe it. The villain (joke …) of the last game, DeAndre Jordan, was Brooklyn’s hero on Wednesday night, leading the Pacers All-Star to shoot 7 to 20. He held on to more than one of the best greats in the league while lifting armrests with the other hand while rocking his footwork to stimulate the Lithuanian star.

On top of that, it was his communication as Brooklyn’s defensive general that paid out huge dividends on Wednesday – in a performance that teammate Joe Harris later said: “We haven’t played that kind of defense … probably all season.”

Here’s what DJ had to say about the honor of controlling the flow of communication in court.

‘Not everyone is going to be a talker and a loud communicator, but that’s fine. As long as we’re connected, I think it’s good, DeAndre said. ‘I know I’m very shy, but on the floor, I talk a lot … I put a lot of it on myself and to get out and just communicate, whether it’s calling to play plays, to tell guys to by coming, different things, and to get us just as engaged at the end. ”

Although the outburst of Kyrie Irving was a spectacle to behold, I would argue quite strongly that DeAndre Jordan was the best player on Brooklyn. From the impact of Sabonis to the communication and rotation like a pro, DeAndre Jordan set the tone on Wednesday, and that was a big reason why Brooklyn’s defense was like that (really good!). I’m probably speaking to everyone when I say: more of this, DeAndre.

Fair value Harris

As we noted, Joe Harris made his four-year deal, $ 72 million, if not a bargain, then a fair value. Joe E. Buckets now shot sixth in three points and hit better than 49 percent of the depth, while scoring a better point than 15 points. In the last seven games, however, he has been getting better. Harris scored 17.0 points, while scoring 56.6 percent overall and 52.8 percent from depth. On Wednesday night, he went on to score 17 points on the 6-of-11 shot overall and 3-of-7 from the depths.

Harris was asked if he plans to take part in the three-point shooting game, a competition he won two years ago. “I wish all participants well”, he kicked to death (or we assume he was dead behind the mask. You decide.)

Barclays Center and Nets thank Caris LeVert with tribute video

Caris LeVert has returned to the Barclays Center for the first time since being traded … and is undergoing kidney surgery after discovering a small mass.

Before the start of the second quarter, the Nets played a minute-long video of honor honoring LeVert’s office as a net. LeVert greeted the Brooklyn bench after the tribute video and was greeted during the game and after the last buzz by various Nets players, including Kyrie Irving. A majority of the team and Dan Meehan, director of sports science, all offered LeVert big hugs.

Here is the full video of LeVert’s tribute video and his reaction.

Steve Nash opens on the loss of Kevin Durant

Take warm: the nets are better than Kevin Durant in the series (!!). While the Nets are just two short days away from getting their superstar back after a run-in with the NBA’s COVID-19 safety and health protocols, it wasn’t exactly easy without him. Steve Nash explained how and where Brooklyn KD misses … on and off the floor.

“I think he gives the team confidence. He is, of course, one of the best players in the game and the history of the game. But for our team, he gives us confidence, “Nash said before the game. “I think he gives us size, what we lack without him – even with him, we are a small team … He brings a lot to the table, whether he has the ball or not. He is an important part of what we are trying to get back soon. ”

Or as Sponge Bob might say …

Per Will Hanley

What’s next

With the Nets’ sixth rugby player in the books, Brooklyn will be back in action on Saturday when the team travels to San Francisco to play the Golden State Warriors – with their five games on the West Coast.

The game will hopefully feature the return of Kevin Durant, who has missed four games due to three (and a half) games due to health and safety protocols. The Warriors are planning a tribute to the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

And when they return, the NETS will be encouraged by FANS! The Nets game on Feb. 23 against the Kings at Barclays will have a limited number of fans, according to an announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier Wednesday.

For another perspective, visit Indy Cornrows – our Pacers sister site for SB Nation.