Kyrie Irving-led Nets beat Cavaliers in NBA Play-In Tournament
The Brooklyn Nets are through to the NBA Playoffs and will face the Boston Celtics in the first round after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-108, on Tuesday in the Play-In Tournament.
Point guard Kyrie Irving, who missed more than 50 games in the regular season due to his vaccination status, led the way for the Nets with 34 points and 12 assists. At halftime, Irving was a perfect nine-for-nine from the field, including a tough buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter.
The Cavaliers never led the game as Brooklyn built a 20-point lead in the first quarter. Cleveland was able to close the gap to just five in the final seconds, but ran out of time to overtake the Nets.
Kevin Durant recorded 25 points and 11 assists in the win. The Nets also got 18 points, eight assists, and nine rebounds out of Bruce Brown.
While the Nets are through to the playoffs, the Cavaliers aren't done yet. On Wednesday, the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets will play in a game between the ninth place and tenth place teams in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland will face the winner for a chance to advance to a first round series against the Miami Heat.
The Cavaliers were led by point guard Darius Garland, who finished Tuesday with 34 points and five assists. Cleveland was without All-Star center Jarrett Allen due to a fractured finger.
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