Celtics

Big Three Combines for 89 Points in OT Victory Over Hawks

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B+

Final: 01/27/2021

W 132 – 128

The bench woke up just in time to help the Nets stay afloat against Atlanta.

Though the Big Three combined for 89 points, it was a late push by the second unit that helped lead Brooklyn to a 132-128  overtime victory against the Hawks. The win is the Nets’ third straight and brings them to 12-8 on the season.

The contest was a close one throughout the night as it featured 15 ties and 21 lead changes. Brooklyn’s largest lead (7) came in overtime as the team was able to secure timely defensive stops and rebounds.

The Nets had trouble pulling away from Atlanta all night as they failed to put together extended runs. The Hawks were able to stay in the game with their 25 made free throws on 28 attempts as six players reached double digits. 

While James Harden was more aggressive offensively early, it took the bench a longer time to get involved. The bench had just two points in the first half compared to 24 in the second half and overtime, with Bruce Brown and Jeff Green playing particularly key roles. The Nets ended up with six players in double figures.

Brooklyn struggled from three for the second straight game, making 11-of-32, countered by 53.1% shooting from the field and nine turnovers. Still, the team came up clutch from the free-throw line with 17 makes on 20 attempts.

What perhaps hurts the most is Joe Harris went 0-for-3 from three, ending his streak of consecutive games with a made three-pointer at 79. Still, Harris played a large role defensively down the stretch, registering a plus-18 mark.

An area the Nets had success in was in the paint, recording a 52-49 advantage on the boards and scoring a whopping 74 points inside. The team also pushed the pace with 23 fastbreak points.

The Nets also found success using Green in a small-ball lineup, particularly as the group out-scored Atlanta 18-10 in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter behind strong bench minutes. Brooklyn had a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter and Harden later missed a potential game-winner after Cam Reddish tied things up, but the team later applied enough defensive pressure to close the game as the Big Three made timely shots.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points while Reddish closely followed with 24. 

It was a close one, but it was a win nonetheless. Brooklyn continues its road trip on Friday against the Thunder — a reunion for Harden and Kevin Durant. 

Kevin Durant

A-

The stats: 32 PTS, 13-26 FG, 3-7 3PT, 3-4 FT, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 42 MIN

Kevin Durant found his groove again Wednesday.

After struggling on Monday, KD had both his three-point shot and drives going against the Hawks. As he has been known to do, KD turned up his production in the second half to help pull away from Atlanta.

As Steve Nash said, KD is a “walking bucket.” He keeps opponents on their toes and was a much-needed presence from three on a night the Nets were again off. 

James Harden

A

The stats: 31 PTS, 9-20 FG, 5-9 3PT, 8-8 FT, 8 REB, 15 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 46 MIN

James Harden finally made the switch: He was aggressive on offense early and often.

Harden has largely been putting his teammates first since arriving in Brooklyn, but the team had missed his offensive production. Harden picked up where he left off on Monday and was looking for his shot from the tip, breaking out the step-back and getting to the line.

Even with the increased offense, Harden still managed to put up 15 assists and eight rebounds with just three turnovers. Harden is looking a bit more comfortable with each game and Wednesday was a good step toward the offensive balance he should strive for.

Kyrie Irving

B+

The stats: 26 PTS, 11-17 FG, 1-3 3PT, 3-4 FT, 4 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 42 MIN

Kyrie was no stranger to the highlight reel on Wednesday.

Kyrie’s finishes in the paint are a sight to behold, and they were a large part of the Nets’ paint presence against the Hawks. He also got time with the bench unite before Harden, which helped give the Nets more early momentum compared to recent games.

Kyrie had some defensive lapses, but he let his teammates have space to do what they do best while finding success with the bench unit. He also came up with a big floater in overtime to help seal the deal.

Bruce Brown

B+

The stats: 12 PTS, 5-7 FG, 2-2 FT, 1 REB, 1 BLK, 19 MIN

Bruce Brown went from two points to double digits in a flash. Brown came alive in a big way in Brooklyn’s early fourth-quarter run that helped counter the Hawk’s four-point lead. 

The Nets badly needed offensive help outside the Big Three, and Brown was up to the task. Brown helped Brooklyn keep the game close with KD and Kyrie on the bench, which was exactly what he needed to do. But it would not have hurt if he put up more points sooner. 

Jeff Green

B+

The stats: 11 PTS, 5-9 FG, 1-5 3PT, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, 31 MIN

Uncle Jeff was in the mood for some posters on Wednesday.

Jeff Green still has hops, and his dunks could not have come at a better time. Alongside Brown, Green ramped up his offensive production during the early fourth-quarter stretch and played important minutes at center in the Nets’ small-ball lineup.

Without Jarrett Allen, Green has been a lifesaver for Brooklyn off the bench. His three-point shot was off, but he supplied the points elsewhere to help create momentum for his team.

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