NEW YORK -- James Harden was at his bag Friday night. He was dribbling and creating space, draining 3s, and letting everyone know he felt more like himself.
Harden was also able to return to a place that he is familiar with -- the free throw line. Harden, who had been to the free throw line 15 times in the first five games, went 16-for-19 and scored 29 points. He also added eight assists and eight rebound to help the Nets win 105-98 against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center.
After a slow start, Harden was averaging 16.6 per game by Friday's end.
Harden admitted that it wasn't 30 points, but that his body and game weren't at the level where he could score 40 or 30 points per night. "I keep repeating it -- every game, I feel great, I feel better today. I continue to work on non-game days and off days, and on game day, continue to get to and shoot my shots.
"Nothing is gonna change. Things will eventually happen where it's constant and I'm out there [like] myself."
Steve Nash, Nets coach, said earlier this week that Harden was unfairly being made the "poster child" for this season’s rules changes. Officials are now cracking down on "overtly abrupt or abnormal nonbasketball moves” of ball handlers who want to draw fouls.
Harden hadn't been to the line in more than four games this season before Friday night's game. He scored 13 points against the Pacers when he reached the line nine times during the second quarter.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, this was Harden's 72nd career game in which he made at least 15 free throws. This is the most ever recorded in NBA history.
Harden stated, "It was me being aggressive." "The first two games, I was not aggressive. Although I was aggressive in spurts and trying to be aggressive for four quarters, I wasn't aggressive. That burst was that speed I had to get to my spots, no matter if I was shooting my shots or getting to the basket. For the entire game, I felt good."
Harden scored 21 points during the first half. Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 22 points at halftime. They combined for 39 points, which was the highest total they scored together as Nets teammates during the first half.
Durant was available for the Nets in the fourth quarter, however. Durant drove the ball and was fouled, so play was stopped. Durant then fired the basketball into the stands at 4:40 in the third quarter.
After the game, Sean Wright, chief of the crew, told a pool reporter that the official who called the ball didn't believe it entered the stands forcefully.
Wright stated, "After watching the video postgame we saw that the ball did indeed go into the stands with force." "And Kevin Durant should have been ejected."
Durant claimed he was trying hit the backboard, but he shouldn't have done that.
Durant stated that he didn't know what to do. He thought he was going to the gym alone and playing a pick-up game. And I can't do this. It could have cost my team that game. It won't happen again, I hope so.
Durant said, "I didn’t know that you could be ejected for doing that." I am glad that I played the game. Although I know there will be a heavy fine, I don't mind paying it."
LaMarcus Aldridge was able to pick up the pace for the Nets by scoring nine of his 21 points during the fourth quarter. This helped Brooklyn defeat a pesky Pacers team.
Aldridge, a 16-year-old veteran, also became the 48th player with 20,000 career points. He was also the seventh active player to achieve this feat, joining Harden Durant. After suffering an irregular heartbeat, Aldridge retired last April and reached this milestone. Aldridge was cleared by his doctor to return for this season.
Aldridge stated, "It feels good man." It is truly a blessing. It was something I didn't expect to happen, especially after last year. It was hard to let go of it and it felt great to finally get out there. Feel blessed.
