Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets drives the Indiana Pacers during their game at the Barclays Center on February 10, 2021 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
The Brooklyn Nets answered critics of their recent defensive efforts in a 104-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers In New York.
The Nets held the Pacers to 18 points in the first quarter and just 12 in the second to take a 62-30 lead into halftime.
🔥 @KyrieIrving (35 PTS, 8 AST, 2 BLK) does it on both ends in the @BrooklynNets victory! pic.twitter.com/P6D1ZUOAx9
— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2021
They led by as many as 36 points — a lead Indiana whittled to 14 in the fourth quarter before the Nets clamped down again.
Kyrie Irving, playing with a sprained finger on his shooting hand, scored 33 points. James Harden connected on just four of 13 from the field for 19 points with 11 rebounds and five assists.