OKLAHOMA CITY – Even with the NBA’s second-best goalscorer, the Brooklyn Nets tied a franchise record for the most points in a regulation game on Friday, losing 147 to the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 22-point win.
“We’re coming … We’re slowly coming forward on both sides of the floor,” said Coach Steve Nash. “We struggled defensively at times, but we’re getting tighter defensively with our game plan. Offensively you start to see a little more flow. You see James. [Harden] able to manage the game and manipulate the defense. “
Quarter-by-quarter, the Nets scored 36, 40, 39 and 32, building an early lead and scoring consistently throughout the game. They shot 57% of the field, hit 19 3-pointers and had 33 team assists.
With Kevin Durant being part of a rest plan as he continues to work on his Achilles tendon injury, Kyrie Irving and Harden took the reins and combined for 50 points – 25 each.
“We’re clearly catching a beat, offensive, of course,” said Harden. “But also defensive. We learn our strengths, weaknesses and things we can improve at.”
The Nets’ offensive blast is steadily increasing, with 10 of the past 11 games having at least 110 points. But they were, to put it mildly, also mediocre on the defensive. The Thunder, who came last in attacking efficiency, still scored 125 points while firing 46.5% off the floor.
‘A familiarity grows at both ends of the floor. [But] We have a long way to go defensively, ”Nash said. It’s not our strongest or strongest side, but we have to be clean with our game plan and talk and participate in our actions. ‘
Harden and Irving spent various parts of the game solo orchestrating their minutes. But there were also long stretches where they played with each other, with Harden doing his usual insulating drive-and-kick thing, while Irving showed off his finishing ability in the paint.
‘I will always say that I don’t take any day for granted. This doesn’t happen very often in the history where you have this group together right now, ”Irving said. “Some guys were starters on their respective teams last year; some guys are MVP candidates. And to have all that collective talent and not get the most out of it, we would be doing ourselves a disservice. to hold responsible. “
Harden attributed the improvement in overall communication between the group, clearly mentioning assignments, coverages, and adjustments during the game. Irving and Harden were at the forefront of the score, but there was also an impressive balance in the game, with a total of nine players finishing in double digits.
“Every time you get a win it’s very satisfying, but every time the whole team plays well and you do some great things as a collective group, it definitely stands out from the crowd,” said Irving.
The Nets have won four straights and are 6-2 since making the trade for Harden. There have been some tough spots at times, where Harden went longer stretches that were less involved in the offense, or Irving’s efficiency dropped, but the chemistry is building, Nash said, and is something he only expects to improve.
“Offensively, I think guys get feel and rhythm for each other, how guys like to play, where they like the ball, how they like to move, cut and play each other,” he said.
Harden said the Nets are monitoring the process, noting that it will only get more difficult as the season goes on. As the games get bigger and the season gets smaller, there will be more focus on the chemistry of the Nets and how they are run.
“We’re going to be challenged every night; we’ll have everyone’s best chance,” said Irving, “but what we’re doing now is just finding the continuity to use the strengths we have.”