Irving scores 48, Nets beat Jazz for 1st win without Durant
Kyrie Irving led the Brooklyn Nets to a 117-106 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday with a total of 48 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter for the second straight night.
Behind Irving’s dramatic finish, Brooklyn won for the first time since Kevin Durant’s knee injury. He made four 3-pointers while shooting 70% from the field in the fourth quarter. Irving missed Utah’s fourth-quarter scoring total by two points.
He was solely responsible for 18 of the Nets’ 43 baskets, including a season-high eight three-pointers.
“He’s just in a different world,” Nets center Nic Claxton said. “He’s locked in. He’s in a different type of zone and he makes those big shots time and time again.”
Irving also led Brooklyn in both categories with a season-high six assists and 11 rebounds. He also accepted a few early charges.
“I put my body on the line and lead by example,” Irving said. “When I can get it going on the defensive end and do the little things, it really makes a difference for me and I’m dialed in.”
Net Center Nic Claxton poured in 20 points, and had four rejections. In his first game back in Utah after being dealt to Brooklyn before the season, Royce O’Neale contributed 13 points and six assists.
Lauri Markkanen, one of the league’s most improved this year, contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Jordan Clarkson added 29 points for Utah. Malik Beasley added 12 points, and Collin Sexton scored 17.
After halftime, the Jazz struggled mightily in transition defense, allowing 19 fast-break points.
Even though Utah hung with Brooklyn until late in the fourth quarter, the Jazz never really felt comfortable on offense against the Nets’ physical defense.
Utah overcame a double-digit deficit in the second quarter thanks to a 14-0 run of its own. Sexton’s reverse layup gave Utah a 38-36 lead at the end of the period. Late in the quarter, the Jazz scored on seven straight possessions. With a pair of baskets and three free throws, Clarkson sparked the run.
Although Utah kept up with Brooklyn until the last minutes of the fourth quarter, the Jazz never really seemed at ease against the tough defense of the Nets.