Brooklyn’s NBA season-best successful streak has been prolonged to 9 video games after a 125-117 victory at fellow Eastern Conference high-flyers Cleveland.
In a battle between third and fourth within the division on Monday, the Nets inflicted a uncommon dwelling loss on the Cavaliers, now 16-4, and improved their very own total season document to 22-12, the identical as Cleveland.
They each path solely the Boston Celtics (24-10) and Milwaukee Bucks (22-11) within the East.
A assured Ben Simmons was busy within the opening quarter and helped the guests to a 34-22 lead on the first break, and the recent hand of former Cavalier Kyrie Irving (4 triples in a late 18-4 run) prolonged their benefit to 64-49 at halftime.
Kevin Durant scored 32 factors earlier than fouling out with 1:54 remaining, whereas Irving additionally had 32 factors on 7-of-11 from exterior. T.J. Warren contributed 23 factors with Royce O’Neale, Nic Claxton and Yuta Watanabe all scoring ten.
Simmons completed with solely 4 factors however added 9 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and one block.
Darius Garland, with a game-high 46 factors, and Donovan Mitchell mixed for 61 factors however the Cavs at all times chased the sport, by no means main after they have been up 10-9.
Elsewhere, the league-worst Detroit Pistons have been crushed 142-131 at dwelling by the Los Angeles Clippers however solely after extra time.
Paul George had a game-high 32 factors for the guests, whose win lifted them as much as fourth within the West.
