Nets fend off Lakers behind James Harden’s triple-double | Inquirer Sports

Nets fend off Lakers behind James Harden’s triple-double

/ 02:19 PM December 26, 2021

 Wayne Ellington #2 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California

Wayne Ellington #2 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers defend James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets as he drives to the basket in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images/AFP 

James Harden collected 36 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds after a two-week absence as the visiting Brooklyn Nets survived a furious comeback attempt by the Los Angeles Lakers and recorded a 122-115 victory Saturday night.

Harden returned after missing the previous four games, including the past three in health and safety protocols. Harden recorded his 63rd career triple-double.

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Harden shot 10 of 25 from the field and hit 13 free throws but his biggest play occurred in the final minute as the Nets survived their first game in a week. It was their second straight game without Kevin Durant, who remained in the COVID-19 protocols.

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The Lakers forged a 115-115 tie when Malik Monk drove by Harden for a layup with 45 seconds left. Following a Brooklyn timeout, Harden lobbed the ball for Nic Claxton, who converted the dunk over LeBron James and completed the three-point play with 40.7 seconds.

After Russell Westbrook blew a dunk with 26 seconds left, Harden hit two free throws. After James missed a 3-point try with 15.5 seconds left, Harden finished it off at the line with 10.7 seconds remaining.

Harden’s latest triple-double helped the Nets survive blowing a 23-point lead and getting outscored 33-20 in the final 12 minutes.

Patty Mills tied a career-high with 34 points and hit eight of Brooklyn’s 14 3-pointers. Bruce Brown returned from the protocols and added 16 points while De’Andre Bembry contributed 15 in his return.

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James led all scorers with 39 points and Monk added 20 as the Lakers shot 41.7 percent and dropped their fifth straight game. Carmelo Anthony contributed 17 and Westbrook posted a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists while shooting 4 of 20.

A 3-pointer by Mills upped Brooklyn’s lead to 107-84 with 10:39 remaining but Los Angeles ripped off 17 straight points and was within 107-101 on a dunk by Anthony with 7:08 left. They hung around before Harden helped ice the game in the final minute.

After the Nets held a 15-point lead through the first quarter, James scored 16 points in the second. The Lakers were within 66-62 by halftime and tied the game at 72-all on two free throws by Westbrook in the third.

Harden’s 3-pointer snapped the tie with 9:17 left and Brooklyn outscored Los Angeles 30-10 the rest of the third for a 102-82 lead into the fourth.

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TAGS: Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers

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