Harden, Nets pound depleted Lakers

James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Staples Center on February 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.  Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP

James Harden scored 23 points as the Brooklyn Nets blew away a depleted Los Angeles Lakers in a one-sided showdown between the Eastern and Western Conference heavyweights on Thursday.

With Kevin Durant sidelined with a hamstring strain, Harden shouldered the offensive burden as the Nets extended their winning streak to five games with a 109-98 victory at the Staples Center.

Harden added 11 assists and five rebounds while power forward Joe Harris added 21 points after making six of seven three-point attempts.

The Beard helps the @BrooklynNets defeat LAL and win their 5th straight game! #BrooklynTogether @JHarden13: 23 PTS, 11 AST pic.twitter.com/NtmDjctCu0

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2021

Kyrie Irving, returning after missing Tuesday’s win over Phoenix with back stiffness, finished with 16 points as the Nets notched up their fourth straight win on the road.

The Lakers scoring was led by LeBron James with 32 points. James’s scoring display saw him tick off another statistical milestone, with the 36-year-old passing 35,000 career points.

The Lakers — already missing Anthony Davis — were hit by another high-profile absentee on Thursday with the late withdrawal of Dennis Schroder, who was ruled out due to Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

Brooklyn got off to a fast start to open up a 31-24 first quarter lead and held a double-digit cushion for most of the game.

A Harris three-pointer left the Nets leading by 25 points early in the fourth quarter as the Lakers failed to muster any kind of response.

The Nets improved to 19-12 with the win to remain in second spot in the Eastern Conference, one game back from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers remain second in the Western Conference on 22-8, 2.5 games adrift of the Utah Jazz.

Nets coach Steve Nash praised his team’s improvement in the past week, which has come in the wake of a run of games where they conceded 120 points or more, including a thumping loss to the Detroit Pistons on February 9.

‘Tastes sweet’

“That was a low for us,” Nash said of the Pistons loss.

“And it did provoke some conversations, and a re-dedication to what we’re trying to do. I’m proud of the way they’ve responded since then. We’ve taken care of business.

“But it’s more important that we’re progressing. It also tastes sweet when you come out West and win some games.”

Nash however said the Nets would not be reading too much into Thursday’s win over the reigning NBA champions.

“I don’t think we’re getting too carried away,” Nash said.

“It’s two teams that didn’t have full rosters. I think we played a solid game. It’s a good win on the road. But it’s super early in the season and we’ve got a lot of room to grow. It’s just a little milestone for us.”