Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets snapped a five-game losing streak at home after fending off a scrappy San Antonio Spurs team 121-119 in overtime on Sunday afternoon. Of course, Kyrie Irving (ineligible to play at home) was out and so was Joe Harris (still without timeline for return from ankle surgery).

The Nets actually appeared in control for much of the game against the Spurs, but they couldn't hit any knock out blows.

Before the game, Steve Nash talked about the team's slump and finding their identity.

“Just trying to identify ourselves after the COVID interruption,” said Nash. “Having everyone back we've taken a step down defensively and we're a defensive team, that's how we've won this year so just getting back to fundamentals.

“And trying to really identify with that theme as important or re-identify with that theme cause we've definitely slipped in these five games.”

The Nets were getting stops in the first half and had a comfortable lead late in the game, having held San Antonio to 51 by intermission. But an explosive 38-point third quarter from the Spurs gave back the work they'd put in. The Nets had 22 turnovers, allowing 29 points off of those to keep San Antonio hanging around.

“It's different because we come into the season,” explained Nash, “as last year we're historically one of the best offensive teams and coming into this season and that's not the case so to try to identify with the other side of the ball which has brought us success, like although it's brought us success do we clearly identify with that? Umm not quite. So I think we have to build that identity.”

The Nets had Irving around more last season, explaining some of that offensive success. Perhaps we'll see them settle in somewhere between the stalwart defensive club they began this year as and the offensive juggernaut they were last year now that Irving will be around more.

Normally, this cross-country back-to -back might be considered a “scheduled loss” for your average veteran team. And one must wonder if Steve Nash might have opted to rest Durant or James Harden, both still is among minute leaders this season, if they didn't have this unusual circumstance. Durant is second and Harden is fourth in minutes per game. But getting a totally fresh part-time athlete like Irving back gives them more reason to push here.

Why is it so important for Durant to play in the back-to -back when he might be very tired? He played 43 minutes, scoring 28 points with six dimes, including the key pass for this gam-winner.

“I wanna play and then they pay me money to play basketball,” Durant said.

KD was then asked how Irving's presence gives them a spark on the road trip: “Yeah, I mean s–t, we definitely are a better team [with Kyrie]–way better team –and it's definitely gonna give us a lift. So I'm looking forward to it. We got a couple games on the road, opportunity for us to build our chemistry.”

Durant hit a pull-up to put the Nets up 113-103 with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. The Nets had several double-digit leads in this one but couldn't deliver any knockout blow in regulation. Brooklyn would go ice cold and give up a 10-0 Spurs run to force OT. But in the extra period, Durant was doubled and found a cutting rookie Cam Thomas who drilled that game-winner.

“That's gonna happen for the rest of my career,” said Durant about teams doubling him late in a shot clock. “I mean, that's how good I am as a player. I gotta be able to see my teammates and trust in 'em and tonight was another night.”

James Harden finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists. He logged 44 minutes, one more than his running mate KD. One ongoing theme this year is their potential fatigue. But given how much they love to play, given the energy boost that Irving figures to offer, there will be no holding back in the next game.