This has been a weird NBA season up to this point for the Miami Heat.
The same can be said for the Brooklyn Nets.
The Heat are trying to find their footing to position themselves to a playoff spot. The Nets, after a massive trade for James Harden, have become the favorites in the Eastern Conference to take their talents to the NBA Finals.
The Nets defeated the Heat 128-124 in a matchup that featured Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden playing together in a win for the first time.
Durant finished with 31 points, Irving was on fire in the fourth quarter ending with 28 points. Harden finished with 12 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. The Nets entered the game averaging an NBA-best 121.5 points at home.
“This group is learning what it takes to win, sometimes that can be painful,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Bam was fantastic down the stretch.”
The Heat put up a fight. Bam Adebayo helped give a big punch. Adebayo finished with a career-high 41 points and nine assists. His previous career-best was 30 points.
“I wish we’d gotten the W; 40 don’t mean nothing unless you got the W,” Adebayo said.
Goran Dragic finished with 19 points, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson contributed 18 for the Heat. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro continue to remain out for the team.
Bam has been unreal. He has been shooting out of this world. He has leaped superstar status but needs to tweak his game only to improve his game. Defense continues to be his strength.
The Heat schedule does not get more comfortable as they host the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers for the next two games. Don’t count the Heat out yet.
The Nets continue to improve; however, defensively, the flaws are evident. The Nets continue to shoot themselves out of trouble. It is a big three; however, it is Durant’s team but Harden’s offense.
The Nets continue to be the favorite out of the east. The conference is talented. Nothing is promised; everything is unpredictable. It is a weird NBA season.
The marathon continues.
The same two teams play each other in Brooklyn in two days.
Photo/BamAdebayo/twitter
