Everything adjustments when Kyrie Irving performs like a celebrity.
Irving exploded for a season-high 48 factors in Brooklyn’s 117-106 win towards the Utah Jazz on Friday. He is now the Nets’ all-time franchise chief in video games with at the very least 45 factors scored.
And it was a welcome sight given Irving’s offensive struggles since Durant exited the rotation with a sprained MCL. The Nets’ shedding streak in video games with out Kevin Durant (MCL) ends at 4.
Irving completed with 30 factors in Thursday night time’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, however he shot 3-of-16 by way of the primary three quarters. He shot 11-of-27 in Phoenix, 7-of-20 towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, and simply 9-of-24 in Brooklyn’s first sport with out Durant — a loss to the Boston Celtics.
Center Nic Claxton continues his marketing campaign for Most Improved Player of the Year.
Claxton recorded his fourth straight sport with at the very least 15 factors, tallying 20 on the night time. He additionally prolonged his streak of video games with at the very least three blocks to 11 with 4 on Friday night time.
Two of Claxton’s rejections got here within the last two minutes. After Jordan Clarkson scored on Claxton on the rim, Claxton responded the very subsequent possession with an emphatic rejection.
One minute later, he blocked Utah’s Lauri Markkanen on a damaged Jazz offensive possession.
SIMMONS’ SCORING STRUGGLES
Ben Simmons continued his development of being aggressive offensively however arising quick on the field rating.
The Nets’ star ahead completed with six factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. He shot three-of-seven from the sphere and didn’t try any free throws.
Simmons has scored in double figures simply as soon as for the reason that calendar 12 months turned and is averaging 5.4 factors per sport within the month of January.
The Nets want Simmons to be extra aggressive in attending to his shot whereas Durant is out with a knee harm.
O’NEALE’S HOMECOMING
Starting wing Royce O’Neale performed at Salt Lake City’s Vivint Arena for the primary time for the reason that Jazz traded him to the Nets for a first-round decide final summer season.
Jazz followers gave O’Neale a standing ovation, and the franchise performed a video tribute for the three-and-D wing who spent 5 seasons in Utah as a key element on plenty of playoff groups
And O’Neale responded by capturing the lights out to start out, hitting three of his first 4 photographs from downtown earlier than cooling off later within the night time.
Hot Hand Harris is again
Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris has strung collectively consecutive scorching capturing video games, a welcome sight for the embattled wing who has struggled to get his footing after double ankle surgical procedure final season.
Harris shot 3-of-6 from downtown after capturing four-of-four from three towards the Suns on Thursday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
