NBA roundup: Unstoppable Nets overcome Hawks, Bucks lose OT thriller to Bulls
Atlanta, Georgia - Kyrie Irving scored 15 fourth-quarter points to lift the Brooklyn Nets to their 10th straight win – the longest streak this NBA season – with a 108-107 victory over the short-handed Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Irving finished with 28 points, headlined by 15 in the final period, making five three-pointers with five rebounds and eight assists, as the Nets held on to their three-point three-quarter time lead.
Kevin Durant added 26 points with a season-high 16 rebounds and eight assists, while center Nic Claxton contributing 17 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks.
The result means the Nets have achieved their longest win streak since 2005-06, moving closer to their franchise record of 14, from 2003-04 and 2005-06.
Brooklyn improved their record to 23-12, having won 14 of their past 15 games, closing the gap on the top two in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics (25-10) and the Milwaukee Bucks (22-12).
Irving led a 17-3 fourth-quarter run with eight consecutive points as the Nets pulled clear in the last before the Hawks rallied, only for Dejounte Murray to miss a 27-footer at the buzzer.
Murray finished with 24 points and John Collins added 21 for the Hawks, who were without Trae Young and Clint Capela with calf injuries, as well as De'Andre Hunter (ankle).
Around the league: Heat beat low-scoring Lakers, Giannis double-double not enough for Bucks
The Miami Heat dominated on offense and defense, keeping the Los Angeles Lakers to their second-lowest score of the season in a 112-98 victory.
Jimmy Butler (27 points and six steals) and Bam Adebayo (23 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks) combined for 50 of the Heat's 112 points, as they improved to 18-17, with all five starters reaching double figures. Tyler Herro added 18 points, including three triples and nine assists.
LeBron James, playing against his former franchise, scored 27 points with nine rebounds and six assists, and Russell Westbrook added 15 points on six-of-16 shooting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, saw his monster double-double of 45 points and 22 rebounds count for nothing, as the Milwaukee Bucks eventually lost 119-113 to the Chicago Bulls in overtime.
Demar DeRozan stuffed his stat sheet too, with 42 points on 15-of-25 shooting, with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Zach LaVine added 24 points with four three-pointers.
DeRozan made a crucial steal from an Antetokounmpo's inbound with 11.1 seconds of regulation time remaining when his team were down 106-104, setting up Ayo Dosunmu's dunk to send it to OT.
Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports