Durant, Irving beat Bucks in opener despite Harden’s early injury

New York, USA, Jun 6 (EFE).- The Brooklyn Nets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-107 in the Eastern Conference play-off semi finals despite the fact star player James Harden came off with a hamstring injury just 43 seconds into the game.

The New Yorkers opened up a 1-0 advantage in the best of seven with the stage for Game 2 set in the Barclays Center in the Big Apple on Monday.

With Harden sidelined, the Nets had to do without their “Big Three” but Blake Griffin stepped up to the occasion with 18 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.

In the 35 minutes he played, Griffin made seven of 13 shots, including four out of nine 3-pointers, and put in a solid effort defending Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Kevin Durant put on a good performance with a double-double of 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets.

Kyrie Irving bagged another 25 points with eight assists while Joe Harris secured 19 points, including five 3-pointers. The Bucks hit just six 3-pointers to the Nets’ 15.

Mike James hit 12 points after playing less than 10 minutes against the Boston Celtics in the first round. He was one of five Nets players to make double digits on Saturday night.

A strong defensive outing from Brooklyn resigned the Bucks to taking 13 points below the average they logged in the regular season of the NBA.

Beyonce and Jay-Z joined the crowd at the Barclays Center, where 98% of the 15,750 fans in attendance were vaccinated against the effects of Covid-19. EFE

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