BROOKLYN, N.Y.- It was January 15 when the Brooklyn Nets last had Kevin Durant in their lineup. On Thursday night, he returned to a Brooklyn team in need of some boost against the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat.
Bam Adebayo led the way as he and the Heat spoiled the party for Brooklyn with a 113-107 win.
All eyes were on Durant as he returned to his squad that went 5-16 in his absence as he dealt with a sprained left MCL injury. He was having himself an MVP caliber season before he went down and picked up exactly where he left off, scoring 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Durant’s presence was a big difference maker as the team had an early rhythm to start the game and looked as if they were not going to slow down.
Until the second half began.
The Miami Heat lit it up in the third quarter as the Brooklyn offense went cold and they took advantage of it. They went on a 14-0 run to take back the lead at 81-74. At the end of the quarter, Miami outscored Brooklyn 28-17.
In the fourth, both teams went down to the wire but it was Bam Adebayo who prevented Brooklyn from extending their late 10-0 run to regain the lead once he was checked back in from the bench. He was feeling himself as he finished the night scoring 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Miami shot 52% (40-77) from the field while Brooklyn at 47% (39-83)
Led by Bam
One-third of the “Big 3” for Miami played as Jimmy Buttler (toe) and Kyle Lowry (personal) were out. That didn’t seem to have affected Adebayo’s game as he was creating highlight reels in Thursday’s comeback win.
Four of Miami’s players scored in double figures. One of them was Tyler Herro who came off the bench as he finished with 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Max Strus was active at the three-point line as he was the only Heat starter that was making them. He went 6-12 from three finishing with 21 points.
Nets Update
Before tipoff, Nets GM Sean Marks announced that Joe Harris will have season-ending ankle surgery. This will be his second surgery on the same ankle as his first was one on November 29, 2021. In the 14 games he played this season, he finishes the year with 11.3 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. One of the most talented three-point shooters in the game shot 48% from behind the arc.
Nets players will have to step up and provide shooting depth moving forward while Harris is gone. Bruce Brown and Patty Mills did just that as they combined for 35 points.
Up Next
The Brooklyn Nets will head to Boston to face the Boston Celtics on March 6, 1:00 PM EST.
The Miami Heat will travel back home to meet the Philadelphia 76ers on March 5, 8:00 PM EST.
