NBA: Kevin Durant’s last-second shot pushes Nets past Timberwolves

Kevin Durant dropped a game-high 30 points and 10 rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets (16-6) barely slipped by the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-12) on Friday, December 3 at the Barclays Center. Durant's dominant night included a smooth pull-up jumper with 11.3 seconds left to clinch the 110-105 win. The NBA’s leading scorer has picked up right where he left off in the playoffs, averaging 28.6 points and 7.7 rebounds on 53.3% shooting from the field. Brooklyn has been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference so far but haven’t exactly looked like a true championship contender. James Harden has struggled to score and impact the game at his normal rate but continues to create for others at a high level.

Harden scored 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists against the Timberwolves but went 0/5 from 3-point range on Friday night. The former MVP hasn't looked the same since going down with a right hamstring injury last season but could return to form as time passes. Brooklyn needs Harden to step up, with obvious absence of Kyrie Irving, as the team has gone 0-5 against Chicago, Golden State, Milwaukee, and Phoenix. Another reason for that is a lack of depth. LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills combined for 36 points against the Timberwolves but Steve Nash needs to get contributions from others as Blake Griffin has been removed from the rotation. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 19 points in the loss.

Photo Credit: USA Today.