On January 11, Beijing time, the NBA regular season ended a focus war, and the Nets lost to the Blazers 108-114 away from home, breaking out of the cold. Harden, Ader, Lillard, McCollum and others were absent, and Irving continued to play away games. The difference between the two sides was never widened in the game, and the two teams fought until the end of the quarter, relying on the three-pointers of McLemoh and Covington, and the Trail Blazers successfully won the victory and beat the Nets.
Statistics:
Nets: Durant 26 boards, 10 boards, 5 assists, 2 assists, Bemburi 4 points, Duke 5 points, Irving 22 points, 8 boards and 4 assists, Thomas 21 points, 3 boards and 3 blocks, Sharp 14 points and 7 boards;
Trail Blazers: Little 13 points, 5 boards, Covington 21 points, 4 boards, Nurkic 14 points, 8 boards and 2 assists, McLemo 17 points and 5 boards, Simmons 23 points, 6 boards and 11 assists, Elbey 9 points and 5 boards;
Focus Lens:
Harden will miss the game due to overextending of his left knee, and Nets coach Nash personally admitted that Harden is expected to play against the Bulls.
Contest Review:
In the first quarter, Nurkic hit one of two free throws, Durant hit a jumper, and McLemore and Irving hit three-pointers. Nurkic hit two free throws, Duke and Simmons also shot in from the outside, Durant hit all two free throws, and Nurkic hooked up to score. Little made one of two free throws, with Covington and McLemore scoring consecutive points. Irving scored on a jumper and Simmons made a 2+1 layup. Irving assisted Thomas on a three-pointer, Covington hit two free throws, Thomas hit another free throw from the outside, and Little and Nurkic hit two free throws. Irving scored consecutive points, Little hit two free throws, Watford cut a dunk and Ellerby extended the advantage to eight points with a layup. Durant's three-pointer stopped the bleeding, Smith scored a jumper, and the first quarter was over, and the Blazers made it 33-26 to the Nets.
In the second quarter, Irving hit a three-pointer, Elbee's hooker and Sharp's dunk slashed at the point, Smith scored with a jumper, and Johnson was also in color. Elbee threw a free throw, Durant hit two consecutive free throws, Nurkic hooked in and Edwards hit a three-pointer. Sharp hit two free throws and the Nets rebounded 42-41. After Little threw a throw, Durant continued to hit two free throws, Durant scored on a jumper, Covington glides to a layup, and McLemo hit both free throws. Irving hit a three-pointer and Simmons threw a shot to score, Durant and Covington scored three-pointers, and Sharp scored a layup. Bemburi flew in, Durant extended the advantage with a jumper, Thomas scored a layup, and at the end of the first half, the Nets led the Blazers 62-53.
In the third quarter, Clarkston dunked, McLemore's three-pointer seized the opportunity, and Simmons also hit the outside. Duke flew in, Simmons and Durant scored on jump shots, and Irving scored with a half-cut. Covington hit a three-pointer, Simmons took a free throw, Bemburi scored with a layup and Irving scored on a jumper. Covington and McLemore equalized with three-pointers, Durant jumped to stop the bleeding, and Covington chased the three-pointer to achieve a rebound. Thomas scored on a layup, Little hit a three-pointer, and Edwards and Thomas scored under the basket. Little hit another three-pointer, Zeller made a layup, and the third quarter ended, and the Nets 81-87 Blazers.
In the fourth quarter, Irving cut to the basket, Edwards was domineering, Watford flew in, and Irving scored on a jumper. Zeller hooked successfully, Sharp scored 2+1 and Elbey hit an empty three-pointer. Smith scored a basket, Thomas hit the board successfully, and Durant and Simmons scored against each other. Simmons assisted nurkic to score, Thomas steals a dragon to advance, Nurkic puts a lay to score, and Mills closes the gap with a three-pointer. McCollum, Simmons and Covington hit back-to-back three-pointers as the Blazers managed to win.
Two teams starting lineup:
Nets: Durant, Mills, Irving, Clarkston, Bembry;
Trail Blazers: Simmons, McLemore, Nurkic, Covington, Little;