The Brooklyn Nets balanced their early-season NBA record on Friday. By beating the Indiana Pacers (105-98), they now have three wins for as many losses (Brooklyn had been dominated by Miami on Wednesday). On New York soil, however, it was the visitors who got off to the best start (38-26, 12th). The Nets then needed a quarter to regain control of the game. At the break, they were leading 58-55.
Then, on returning from the locker room, they in turn created a first gap (83-69, 34th) which the Pacers were however able to fill (90-90, 43rd). But an 8-0 immediately inflicted on Indiana finally allowed Brooklyn to escape for good.
James Harden signed his best performance of the season, scoring 29 points (plus eight rebounds and eight assists). Kevin Durant also helped the Nets win with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Finally LaMarcus Aldridge exceeded the 20,000 career point mark, scoring 21 on Friday (including 17 in the second half).
Cleveland resists the Lakers
Beaten Wednesday by Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Lakers recovered in the right direction, winning once morest the Cleveland Cavaliers (113-101). They too now have three wins once morest three losses. But LA had to fight once morest the eye-catching Cavaliers, who had already pinned Atlanta, Denver and the Clippers to their list at the start of the season.
At the break, the two teams were tied (54-54) and, at the end of the third quarter, the Lakers were only three points ahead (88-85). Los Angeles finally made the difference, passing a severe 15-2 in Cleveland (90-91, 40th; 105-93, 44th), which was no longer able to react.
The stars of the Lakers showed themselves: LeBron James scored 26 points and Carmelo Anthony scored 24 in 25 minutes. Finally Russell Westbrook (19 pts) and Anthony Davis (15) also contributed to the victory of the Californians.
