Kevin Durant scored 42 points, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Orlando Magic 122-115.
James Harden’s step-back 3-pointer put the Nets ahead for good with 34 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Magic got within 86-85 on Terrence Ross’ 12-foot pull-up jumper with 11:28 to play, but Durant answered with an 11-foot floater, and the Magic got no closer than 90-88.
During clutch time, the Nets outscored the Magic 7-2. Harden (No. 10 in clutch wins added, 2020-21) scored 4 of the Nets’ 7 on 0 for 1 shooting and 4 for 4 at the line. Early in the fourth quarter, Harden had 4 of his 14 assists, all with the game within 5 points.
Harden had 32 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals, his first triple-double of the season. The Nets had 2 30-point scorers.
For the Magic, Nikola Vučević had 34 points (18 on 6 3-pointers), 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals, and Ross added 23 points off the bench. Ross scored 15 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.
The Nets shot 53.8% from the field and 45.7% from 3 to the Magic’s 46.3% and 30.4%. The Magic outscored the Nets 42-19 off the bench.