Heat Spoil Kevin Durant’s Return
Despite missing a potential go-ahead three late in the fourth quarter Kevin Durant looked great. After a left MCL sprain kept him off the court for a month and a half Durant scored 31 points in his return.
Since Durant went down the Nets season has gone the complete opposite of what most thought it would. For them to get back on track Durant will need to hit those shots down the stretch and he believes he will.
“I’m only going to get better, more comfortable out there” Durant said.
Easy money. pic.twitter.com/gF40amI3sA
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 4, 2022
Durant’s presence was good enough as the Nets were able to jump out to a 16-point lead late in the second quarter. But Miami was able to play great defense and hold off a rally from the Nets. The Heat’s zone held the Nets to 17 points and shot a poor 6 for 28 from the field. The Heat took advantage scoring 28 in the third quarter leading the game by four heading into the fourth.
“Spo tricks us with his zone,” Said former Heat guard Goran Dragic. “They really played well the zone. We kind of lost pace of the game.”
With 57 seconds left in the game Durant had a three pointer from the top of the key go in and out on him. The three would’ve put Brooklyn up by one but instead led to a Bam Adebayo score giving the Heat a four point lead with 35 seconds left.
It’s not impossible but it will be hard for Durant to carry this team by himself. As long as Kyrie Irving has to sit out home games and Ben Simmons dealing with a back injury, Durant will have to shoulder a heavy load.
The Nets are 32-32 and are eighth in the Eastern Conference. They will try to bounce back as they travel to Boston to take on the Celtics Sunday afternoon.
