Joe Harris steps up as Nets down 76ers

 Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris (12) drives in for a layup against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter at Barclays Center on January 7, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Reserve Joe Harris scored a season-high 28 points, Caris LeVert added 22 as the short-handed Brooklyn Nets led most of the way and recorded a 122-109 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night in New York.

The Nets were without Kevin Durant due to COVID-19 safety protocols though coach Steve Nash said he could return for Sunday’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Brooklyn also was without Kyrie Irving, who sat out due to unspecified personal reasons.

Harris finished two points shy of his career high as the Nets posted their second straight double-digit win after dropping four of five. He shot 11 of 19 and tied a season-high with six 3-pointers as the Nets won while wearing throwback jerseys from the 1990-91 season.

LeVert was elevated to the starting lineup in place of Irving and responded with another strong performance. He scored 18 points by halftime as the Nets held a 65-51 lead and handed out 10 assists for his fifth career game with 20 points and 10 assists.

Jarrett Allen produced a third straight double-double by finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds as the Nets shot 45.4 percent and scored 35 points off 20 Philadelphia turnovers.

The 76ers saw a five-game winning streak snapped after surviving a 60-point night from Washington’s Bradley Beal on Wednesday.

Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons had quiet nights for the 76ers, who lost while shooting 47.1 percent. Embiid scored 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting while Simmons was held to 11 points.

Shake Milton started for Seth Curry (sore left ankle) and led the Sixers with 24 points and seven assists. Tobias Harris added 17 points and rookie Tyrese Maxey finished with a season-best 16 points.

Philadelphia made its first six shots of the third to get within 76-68 on a basket by Simmons with 7:15 remaining. Following consecutive turnovers by Embiid and Simmons, the Nets upped their lead to 85-70 with 4:48 remaining following Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot’s second straight 3-pointer and held a 94-84 lead entering the fourth.

Brooklyn held a 104-87 lead when Embiid returned with 9:07 remaining. After allowing the Sixers to get within 104-93 on a 3-pointer by Embiid with 7:54 remaining, the Nets sealed it on a layup by Allen off a no-look pass from LeVert that pushed the lead to 114-100 with 4:05 remaining.

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