Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr., center, and guard Frank Ntilikina defend Brooklyn’s James Harden during their game Tuesday in Dallas. Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
DALLAS — Kevin Durant scored 24 points, James Harden had 23 points and 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat Dallas 102-99 on Tuesday night, handing the Mavericks their fifth consecutive home loss.
The Eastern Conference-leading Nets erased a 17-point third-quarter deficit to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season. Brooklyn squandered a double-digit lead after halftime in a loss to Chicago.
Luka Doncic scored 28 points but had another rough night from 3-point range except for the 30-footer he banked in just before the first-half buzzer. Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Harden, who also had nine rebounds, easily beat Doncic one-on-one for a layup and Brooklyn’s biggest lead at 100-97 with 1:23 remaining. The Nets didn’t take their first lead until the middle of the fourth quarter.
Dallas didn’t make a basket after Doncic’s short jumper with 3:51 to go and finished 9 of 46 (19.6%) from long range. Tim Hardaway Jr. missed all seven from deep, including an open look that bounced off the back of the rim at the buzzer.
The Nets trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter and slowly cut the deficit, led by Durant, who made 5 of 6 shots and scored 11 points in the final quarter.
Nic Claxton missed two free throws with Brooklyn leading by three with 20 seconds remaining, but Doncic missed from beyond the arc before Hardaway’s miss. Doncic was 3 of 11 from deep.
The Mavericks (11-12) dropped below .500 for the first time since getting blown out by Atlanta in their opener despite the return of both Doncic and Porzingis. They both missed the previous loss to Memphis, the first time that’s happened this season.
KNICKS 121, SPURS 109: R.J. Barrett made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 32 points, and New York snapped a three-game skid, winning in San Antonio.
New York ended a seven-game losing streak at San Antonio.
Alec Burks scored 18 points, Immanuel Quickley added 16 points and Julius Randle had 15 for the Knicks.
Derrick White had 26 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Spurs, who have dropped two straight after a season-long three-game winning streak. Dejounte Murray added 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Knicks were 18 for 38 on 3-pointers with Barrett going 7 for 8.
NOTES
BULLS: Chicago star DeMar DeRozan remained in the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Tuesday and did not accompany the team to Cleveland.
The Bulls play the Cavaliers on the road Wednesday. DeRozan entered the health and safety protocols a few hours before Monday’s win over the Denver Nuggets.
The absence of the four-time All-Star is a blow for a team that was virtually tied with Brooklyn for the Eastern Conference lead entering Tuesday. He ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring and led the Bulls at 26.4 points per game.
Acquired from San Antonio in a sign-and-trade deal in the offseason, DeRozan has played a huge role in Chicago’s resurgence. The Bulls are eyeing their first playoff appearance since 2017.
The NBA’s health and safety protocols require players to be sidelined at least 10 days or record two negative COVID-19 tests in a 24-hour period before they can resume basketball activities.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
