|
The second-seeded Nets lead the best-of-seven
series 2-0 ahead of Game 3 on Thursday in Milwaukee.
Brooklyn, which never trailed, led by as many as 49 points in
the fourth quarter. The Nets led by double digits for the final
39:11.
In 33 minutes, Durant shot 12 of 18 from the field and posted
his fourth 30-point game of the postseason. He also hit four
3-pointers, grabbed four rebounds and handed out six assists.
Durant finished his latest productive game by going around
Giannis Antetokounmpo for a reverse layup with 4.8 seconds left
in the third quarter to give Brooklyn a 95-65 lead.
Kyrie Irving added 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting and had six
assists for the Nets, who shot 52.1 percent and set a franchise
postseason record with 21 3-pointers. It marked the fourth time
in their first seven postseason games the Nets shot at least 50
percent from the floor.
Antetokounmpo led the third-seeded Bucks with 18 points and 11
rebounds. He shot 8 of 15 from the floor and missed five of
seven free-throw attempts. He is shooting 53.5 percent (23 of
43) from the foul line in the postseason.
Milwaukee's Khris Middleton added 17 points but missed his first
eight shots, finished 8 of 20 from the floor and committed five
turnovers. Jrue Holiday was held to 13 points.
The Bucks shot 44 percent and misfired on 19 of 27 3-point tries
after shooting 6 of 30 from behind the arc in Game 1.
Harden watched from the bench after being ruled out due to right
hamstring tightness. He was injured 43 seconds into Brooklyn's
115-107 win in the series opener on Saturday.
Without Harden, the Nets dominated early and cruised to their
fifth double-digit win of the postseason.
Durant scored 21 as the Nets led by as many as 27 points before
halftime and took a 65-41 edge into the break. He made 7 of 10
shots prior to intermission, including a 3-pointer with two
seconds left in the first quarter that put the Nets up 36-19
after the opening 12 minutes.
--Field Level Media
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
