The Brooklyn Nets and their newly formed pairing of Kevin Durant and James Harden were put to a tough test on Monday when they took on reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Behind the heroics of their dynamic duo, the Nets emerged with a narrow 125-123 victory, which prompted an honest assessment from the Bucks superstar.
Giannis admitted that they expected nothing less from two of the top players in the NBA today:
“This is what they do — they wake up, they come to the game and they score 30,” Antetokounmpo said, via Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “If you’re not locked in against them, they’re going to score 50.”
True enough, both Durant and Harden eclipsed the 30-point mark for Brooklyn against Antetokounmpo and Co.
Durant finished with 30 points on 10-of-21 from the floor, to go along with two treys, nine rebounds, six dimes, and two blocks. For his part, Harden racked up 34 points (on 13-of-25 shooting), three triples, six boards, 12 assists, a block, and six turnovers in 41 minutes of play.
Antetokounmpo, who faced some disrespectful defense from the Nets, wasn't too bad himself, netting 34 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
As the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year stated above, opposing teams will need to be at their very best whenever they face the Nets. It's tough enough to try and stop one great scorer on any evening, but to battle against three of them (once Kyrie Irving is back in the picture) is an undeniably gargantuan task for any team.
Follow Us
Subscribe