On April 13, Beijing time, in the NBA play-off, the Nets defeated the Cavaliers 115-108 at home and successfully advanced to the playoffs as the 7th in the East. Irving slashed 34 points and 12 assists, and Durant sent 25 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists, and the two played a crucial role in the team's victory.
Although Owen's performance in the game was very impressive, he scored 20 points without errors on 9-of-9 shooting in the first half, and his first 12 shots were all hit, and he scored 34 points and 12 assists. However, Durant's performance is not at all inferior to Irving, personally contributing 25 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists, which is another contributor to the team's victory.
It was also Durant's two consecutive assist doubles, a double-double for consecutive assists in his career (both in the regular season and playoffs), and he delivered 16 assists in his last game against the Pacers, setting a new career assist record. Durant recently contracted the organization of the team, and what is even more valuable is that he only made 1 mistake in the whole game, which shows that the efficiency is very high.
Durant did not show a strong offensive desire in this game, he only made three shots in the first quarter, did not concede a single goal and scored 8 points. But he contributed six assists in the first quarter to help the team hit a 15-2 offensive surge in the second half of the first quarter, successfully widening the point difference to 20 points. He also gave Markkanen a nailing hat, which completely ignited the atmosphere of the whole team. In the first quarter, the Nets led the Cavaliers 40-20.
In the second quarter, Durant still chose to create opportunities for his teammates, he contributed 4 points and 3 rebounds in a single quarter, and the Nets were suppressed by the Cavaliers on the defensive end, scoring only 17 points in a single quarter. In the half, the Nets led the Cavaliers 57-43.
In the second half, Durant appropriately increased his shooting opportunities, he shot 6 times in the third quarter, but unfortunately the effect was not good, contributing 4 points and 4 assists in the single quarter. In the final quarter, the Cavaliers fought back furiously, narrowing the point difference to six points at one point. Durant's consecutive unsolved shots at key moments helped the Nets pull away the point difference to double digits again. In the end, the Cavaliers had no chance to reverse, and the Nets won the game.
The Nets advance to the playoffs as the 7th in the East, facing the Celtics in the first round, and the two teams are also opponents in the first round of last season, and meeting again this season is bound to spark infinitely. According to the schedule, the first match between the two teams will be held at the Celtics home on the morning of April 13, Beijing time.
(Text/Yuwen Basketball)