Kevin Durant scores 31 in return from injury; Nets come up short vs. Heat

Kevin Durant didn't look rusty in his first game back with the Brooklyn Nets in nearly seven weeks, but his 31-point performance wasn't enough against the Miami Heat.

Brooklyn led by as many 16 against the Eastern Conference's first-place team on Thursday, but the Heat came roaring back with a 21-7 run to open the second half. While a Nets 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter closed the gap, it wasn't enough to regain the lead and Miami won, 113-107.

Durant, 33, had been out of action since Jan. 15 after suffering a sprained MCL. In the 21 games he sat out, the Nets went 5-16 and slid down the standings. The Thursday night loss was the team's fifth in its last six games.

Still, it was a strong showing for the Nets against the Heat, who improved to 42-22 with the victory.