Nets Top Bucks In Game 1
By Dan Bruno
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, 115-107, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Barclays Center on Saturday evening.
The Nets were dealt a blow early on, as James Harden was forced to leave the contest with an injury to his hamstring, but the team rallied to take control and close out the first win of the series. The contest got out to a tight start as the Bucks led, 32-30, after one quarter. The Nets picked up the pace in the second and pulled ahead to a two-point lead by halftime. They carried the momentum into the second half as they outscored the visitors by 12 points in the third, to take a 14-point lead into the final frame. The Bucks put up a fight in the fourth, but it was not enough, as the Nets cruised to the home win.
Kevin Durant led the way for the Nets with 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, in 40 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 25 points, eight assists, five rebounds, a steal and a block, while Blake Griffin totaled 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Nets shot 47 percent from the field, including 15-of-40 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Brook Lopez followed up with 19 points and five rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 13 points, 13 rebounds four assists. The Bucks shot 45 percent from the field, including 6-of-30 from long range.
Game 2 is set for Monday in Brooklyn.
The Nets were dealt a blow early on, as James Harden was forced to leave the contest with an injury to his hamstring, but the team rallied to take control and close out the first win of the series. The contest got out to a tight start as the Bucks led, 32-30, after one quarter. The Nets picked up the pace in the second and pulled ahead to a two-point lead by halftime. They carried the momentum into the second half as they outscored the visitors by 12 points in the third, to take a 14-point lead into the final frame. The Bucks put up a fight in the fourth, but it was not enough, as the Nets cruised to the home win.
Kevin Durant led the way for the Nets with 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal, in 40 minutes. Kyrie Irving followed up with 25 points, eight assists, five rebounds, a steal and a block, while Blake Griffin totaled 18 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Nets shot 47 percent from the field, including 15-of-40 from deep.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, in 35 minutes. Brook Lopez followed up with 19 points and five rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 13 points, 13 rebounds four assists. The Bucks shot 45 percent from the field, including 6-of-30 from long range.
Game 2 is set for Monday in Brooklyn.