As the Nets ditched the NBA’s longest winning streak, James Harden hit a chair.
Nineteen turnovers on Saturday led to 32 points for the Mavericks and made the Nets look just as sloppy with the basketball as they sometimes did before Harden arrived via the trade. Only this time, Harden was mainly to blame, with game-high six turnovers as he tried to feed teammates other than the injured trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Tyler Johnson.
“I played the same way,” said Harden. “I made exhaust passes for Bruce [Brown] that I [normally] get, they were deflected. Dribbles to the basket, throws the ball out of bounds – I did that myself. I tried not to do more than usual. I’ve played my game, and sometimes you have bad games. “
Harden described his sales as “careless” examples of “trying to thread the needle.” During a time-out in the second half, Harden, who scored only four of his 29 runs after halftime, got up from his seat and hit an empty chair with his fist.
“No doubt we had some careless sales that led to running out,” said coach Steve Nash. “That hurts. We are only four on the half and gave them 20 points on sales. That crushed us.”
The Spurs have the lowest turnover per game (11.1) in the competition. So there are no additional assets in Monday’s game for the Nets (14.6) to make up for the assets given away.
[The Mavericks] were aggressive on the defensive – jumping the passing lanes – and made us speed up a bit and forced us to turn the ball, ”said forward Jeff Green. “In order to win, especially when we have boys, we have to do better. We have to take care of the ball. We have to make sure we get a good photo every time. “
Irving (right shoulder maintenance) was not on Sunday’s injury report. Green (right shoulder contusion) has not played against the Mavericks in the last 15 minutes and is considered questionable against the Spurs. He missed a game last week. Johnson (migraines) are thought to be likely to return. Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (right knee pain) started Saturday but was added to the injury report as doubtful.
Forward Tyler Cook played 14 minutes over the two games since he was signed for a 10-day contract for depth. He will hit the ladder if the Nets are careful with Green.
“Especially on the defensive and recurring,” said Cook, “I can serve this group immediately.”