'They just didnРІР‚в„ўt go in, but I think we did a really good job, especially from the second quarter on, of getting great shots. 'I probably had to do a little bit more as far as being aggressive, and I had a lot of good looks as far as layups, floaters,' Harden said. That suggested a heavy load for Harden to carry without his superstar running mate Durant. And like every other game this season, they were without the unvaccinated Kyrie Irving. In addition to missing Durant, the Nets also were without Joe Harris (sprained left ankle) and Paul Millsap (personal reasons). The lack of manpower coming into the game was reminiscent of some of last seasonРІР‚в„ўs low points. Jalen Suggs topped the Magic (4-12) with 21 points but scored only four after the opening period. The Nets (12-5) also got 22 from Patty Mills and 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench from James Johnson and 15 points by Aldridge. 'And we had obviously a tremendous third quarter that kind of made up for the first, and gave us a chance to control the game a little bit down the stretch.'Р”В«y clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.Р”Р„fter a slow start in the opening period when he had the NetsРІР‚в„ў only foul shot, Harden wound up getting to the line to fuel his scoring with a 19-for-20 performance, including two with 9.2 seconds left to inspire 'MVP' chants of his own. We had to get right to it and guard and control the ball and try to keep them out of our paint as much as possible.

We talked about being down at the half, how we couldn't waste any time.

But they found their defense late in the second quarter and held the Magic to just 42 total points in the second and third periods to gain a seven-point lead heading to the fourth period.Р”Р„sked about what led to a 37-21 third-quarter comeback by the Nets, coach Steve Nash said: 'I think we set the stage for that by holding them to 21 in the second. The Nets were outscored 41-25 in the opening quarter and fell behind by 19 midway through the second period. But after a terrible first half by the Nets, it was James Harden who scored 36 points to lead a comeback from a 19-point second-quarter deficit to score a 115-113 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night at Barclays Center. Just in case anyone wondered how the Nets might look without Kevin Durant, the answer is it wasnРІР‚в„ўt pretty and it underlined his value as arguably the MVP of the NBA this season.

James harden