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Durant’s Jumpers Send Nets to 10th Straight

When it doubt, leave the game in the hands of Kevin Durant. The future Hall of Famer nailed two huge jump shots in the final minutes to pave the way…

KD and Kyrie

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts withy Kyrie Irving #11 after their 108-107 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

When it doubt, leave the game in the hands of Kevin Durant.

The future Hall of Famer nailed two huge jump shots in the final minutes to pave the way to a 108-107 victory for the Brooklyn Nets over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Durant hit a seven foot jumper with 1:35 to go that broke a 104-all tie. After Atlanta's John Collins answered with a jumper of his own to tie the game at 106, Durant responded with a 17-foot jumper to put the Nets up 108-106. They would never trail again as Brooklyn captured its 10 consecutive victory.

Durant finished the game with 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting with a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

Kyrie Irving also enjoyed a stellar game, leading all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting. Iriving helped Brooklyn build an 11-point lead midway through the fourth quarter when he knocked down three consecutive shots, including back-to-back three pointers as Brooklyn led 93-82 with 9:21 to go in the game.

“I think the whole second half we were there for each other," Durant said. “We made a couple of adjustments on a couple of guys and we were able to execute that. We were able to slow them down just a little bit."

The Nets (23-12) find themselves right behind Boston for the top seed in the East, just two games back in fact.  Brooklyn is also 14-1 in its last 15 games, with its only loss coming at the hands of the Celtics back on December 4. The Nets won't see Boston again until January 12.

Until then, the Nets will try to extend their streak to 11 games on Saturday at Charlotte.

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.