Beijing time On January 16, the Nets defeated the Pelicans 120-105. Durant unexpectedly retired in the second quarter, the Pelicans launched a crazy counterattack in the third quarter, Harden showed a super leader role behind, Griffin became a surprise soldier, is the key to the team's steady victory.
Harden 27+8+15
At the beginning of the game, Durant was full of firepower, 4 of 7 in a single quarter with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, Harden 6 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, Sharp's interior attack guard, Thomas's 7-point output from the bench, the Nets 32-22 in the single quarter to lay a 10-point advantage; in the second quarter, Harden led the mixed lineup, he helped Edwards' three-pointer, helped Sharp attack the basket, the Nets a wave of 20-5 offensive and defensive flow has laid a 25-point advantage of 52-27, as a result, Durant appeared only 22 seconds of unfortunate scene.
Durant was injured instantly
The Pelicans counterattacked, when Jones hit the paint, Brown struggled to defend, and as a result, Jones overturned the 92 kg Brown, whose entire body was pressed to Durant's left knee, and from the picture, there was already a slight anti-joint crush, Durant then returned to the locker room, the current injury is unknown, we can only pray for him, hoping that there is no major obstacle, can return healthily as soon as possible.
Durant's unexpected injury made the Nets a little "flustered", halftime, although with Harden 13 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the team 69-41 to lay a 28-point advantage, but in the third quarter easy to fight again, when Harden rested, Ingram led the Pelicans to launch a crazy counterattack, once chased the score to 67-82 only 15 points behind, the key moment Harden and Griffin carried the team.
Harden broke through to the layup
Harden broke through the 2+1 layup, then counterattacked to continue to break through, making two fouls, one man scored seven consecutive points to freeze the score at 89-75; then he opened the griffin connection mode.
Griffin hooked up
Harden's individual offense forced the Pelicans to pinch the hit, Griffin had a misalignment opportunity on the inside, Harden fed the ball twice in a row, Griffin hit two hook shots, and when the Pelicans tried to pinch Griffin as well, Griffin's ability to maneuver was highlighted.
Griffin helped Edwards with three points
Harden looked for free throw line Griffin, pelicans pinch, Griffin helped Edwards three-pointers, helped Mills layup and two three-pointers, Harden himself three-pointers again, with 8 minutes left in the final quarter, the Nets 109-83 re-established a 26-point advantage, and the game lost suspense.
At this point, in the case of Durant's injury, Harden's 27 points, 8 rebounds and 15 assists of the superstar play, Griffin's performance in the second half is indispensable, 6 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists Data is not prominent, but in the second half, his consecutive 4 points and 4 assists revitalized the team's inside and outside lines, which is the X factor that the team can contain the Pelicans' counterattack.