NBA: Brooklyn rules in NYC after outlasting the Knicks in a dramatic end
New York, New York - It was tough to tell which was the home team at times, but the Brooklyn Nets ended up holding on to the win on their own floor against the New York Knicks Tuesday night.
The Nets slipped away with the 112-110 win over the Knicks to make it five out of six.
The East’s best team was locked into a slug fest with the Knicks as the game could’ve gone either way right down to the final seconds.
The Nets took the first quarter, but the Knicks turned the tables in the second to take a one-point lead into halftime.
Brooklyn made some adjustments in the third quarter and held NY to their lowest point total in a quarter for the game, in order to take a four-point lead into the final period.
After the Knicks got within one early in the fourth, there were several ties and lead changes, but neither team led by more than a three-pointer.
The score was tied with only seconds to play when the Nets ended up at the free-throw line, sinking both shots to take the lead, as a prayer thrown up by the Knicks fell short at the buzzer.
The player spotlight
Leading the way for the Nets on Tuesday night was former NBA MVP James Harden (32), taking some of the heat off of teammate Kevin Durant’s back.
Harden did tally his 13th double-double of the season but was two assists shy of his fifth triple-double this year. Still, the 32-year-old is really stepping up this season and it's not the first time he's been a difference-maker.
He finished the night with 11 of 20 shooting from the field for a game-high 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.
The big picture
The Nets continue the rule of the Eastern Conference, but they should be careful going forward.
They nearly lost at home to a team that just barely has a winning record and in such a high-profile game, the rest of the league may have caught onto how to make things tough for Brooklyn.
The Nets were out-rebounded and also outscored in the paint, only win by two foul shots. They gave to tighten things up significantly going forward if they want to hold on to top spot.
On Friday, the Nets will stay at home to host the Timberwolves while on Thursday, the Knicks are also in New York to run with the Bulls.
Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire