Kyrie Irving had 31 points, a season-high 12 assists and six rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Houston Rockets 120-108 to move into first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2003.
The Rockets got off to a very fast start in this one, as they outscored the Nets 42-29 on nearly 80 percent shooting in the first quarter. Danuel House scored Houston’s first nine points, as he finished with a team-high 12 points in the opening period.
However, Brooklyn slowly started chipping away at Houston’s huge lead, as they finally took their first lead of the game with just under 30 seconds left in the third thanks to a Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot three-pointer. His three capped off a 17-3 run which included a sweet putback dunk by Blake Griffin.
That looked like the Griffin we’ve been accustomed to seeing throughout his career. It’s amazing to see him rejuvenated and ready to contribute on a championship-contending team.
The Nets lead was short-lived, however, as Houston retook the lead on the next possession. The Rockets kept the lead for a little more than half of the final period, but the Nets retook the lead for good after Joe Harris‘s three from the left-wing off the feed from Irving, who pushed the ball in transition and drove downhill after Nicolas Claxton‘s blocked shot on the other end.
James Harden exited the game in the third quarter due to right hamstring tightness. “The Beard” finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists against his former team. Harris added 28 points including 7-of-12 from three. Griffin chipped in 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Irving on being in first place
As previously mentioned, the Nets are in first place in the Eastern Conference since 2003, the same year the Nets made their last Finals appearance. Irving spoke about the process in his postgame media session.
“We’ve been able to learn throughout this process what it takes to build something special – something different and unique,” Irving said.
Irving went on to discuss how the team has been able to adjust to all the obstacles they’ve had to face throughout the season and how he and the group have been able to hold each other accountable and build deeper relations with one another.
Irving’s quote says it all. When you’re looking to build something special, you have to be willing to learn throughout the journey and understand how to collaborate with your teammates. True leaders understand that, and that is what Kyrie Irving is.
