On January 8, Beijing time, the NBA regular season, the Nets played at home against the Bucks, which was the second matchup of the season after the opener between the two sides, and also the contest between the 2nd and 3rd in the East. However, what was supposed to be a duel of equal strength, this game showed a one-sided situation. The Bucks took the lead from the start, directly widening the point difference by more than 20 points in the third quarter, and the game gradually lost suspense. In the end, the Bucks won 121-109 on the road to the Nets, ending the losing streak and successfully killing the opponent twice in the season.
In this game, Alphabet Brother had 31 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists, Middleton contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and Portis also had excellent performances, with 25 points and 12 rebounds. In comparison, the Nets only Durant scored 20+, which seemed to be a bit difficult to support, he got 29 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, but he was helpless to help the team win the game. The Nets have lost four of their last five games and are in a mess.
Harden did not feel good in this game, only 6 shots in 15 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 16 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists by relying on 8-of-8 free throws, and 5 turnovers, such data is undoubtedly very hard for Harden. His last three games have been aberrant, with no more than 20 points. Obviously, Harden's play can't help the team win the game.
In the first quarter of the game, Harden did not show too much offensive desire, he all 3 shots were deflected, and there were no points to score. The Bucks, led by Alphabet Brother and Portis, managed to take the lead and widened the point difference to double digits. Durant used his individual ability to close the point gap, and the Bucks led the Nets 29-21 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Harden increased his shots, but his hand felt cold, only 2 shots in 7 shots, and he scored 5 points. At one point, the Nets narrowed the gap to four points, but the Bucks immediately pulled the gap apart. At the end of the half, the Bucks led the Nets 60-49.
Easy side to fight again. Harden felt warm, hitting four of his five shots and scoring 10 points in a single quarter. However, the Nets failed to restrain the fiery Middleton on the defensive end, and he scored 15 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting in the single quarter, leading the Bucks to widen the point difference. The third quarter ended with the Bucks leading the Nets 98-80. In the final quarter, the Bucks always maintained a lead, and seeing that the score gap was still 20 points, the Nets were always difficult to recover. At 6 minutes and 58 seconds, the Nets replaced the main force and announced that they would abandon the game, and finally the team reluctantly swallowed a defeat at home.
According to the schedule, the Nets' next game will face the Spurs at home in the early morning of Next Monday Beijing time.
(Text/Yuwen Basketball)