“Possibly I’m talking for myself, however the crowd sort of simply threw me off a little bit bit,” Harden stated. “It was fairly loud in there. The vibe was what we’ve been lacking.”
The Nets missed their first 10 3-pointers and trailed by as many as 12 factors within the first half.
“They undoubtedly gave us a bonus, and it was bizarre,” Durant stated of enjoying once more in entrance of a big crowd. “We haven’t seen all of them season. And there was 1,500 there the final couple months of the season, however to see folks on the entrance row after which see extra within the higher and decrease bowl, it was fairly cool. And I’m fairly certain they loved the win, however we wish to play higher for them as nicely.”
Durant, Irving and Harden ignited within the third quarter, offering the Nets with their first 22 factors of the second half, whereas erasing a 6-point halftime deficit.
Importantly, the Nets restricted Boston to 40 second-half factors.
“Possibly we simply rushed,” Nash stated. “We have been a little bit impatient to begin the sport. I’d most likely say the reality is someplace within the center — a little bit bit that they haven’t performed a lot collectively, a little bit bit that it was an thrilling night for everybody to stroll within the fitness center to see that many individuals, and our followers have been excellent.”
Durant ended with 32 factors and 12 rebounds. Each have been recreation highs.
“It’s all the time nice enjoying on this time of yr,” Durant stated. “That depth is the subsequent degree; it’s completely different than what’s within the common season. It felt nice to be again on the market among the many finest groups and gamers within the league and looking out ahead to Recreation 2.”
Irving scored 29 factors. Harden added 21 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists.
“It undoubtedly felt completely different in comparison with what many of the season felt like, going to completely different arenas,” Irving stated. “However coming again dwelling and welcoming lots of our followers dwelling, you possibly can really feel the anticipation for a high quality basketball recreation on the market.”