MY ACCOUNT
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant was excited about the state of his club’s local rivalry against the New York Knicks after going into Madison Square Garden and leaving with a 110-98 comeback win.
After conceding 67 points in the first half, the Nets clamped things down defensively after the break, giving up just 31 points in the last two quarters, including a dominant 38-16 final period.
Durant was spectacular, scoring 32 points (11-of-22 shooting) with 10 rebounds and 11 assists, while Patty Mills caught fire off the bench, hitting five three-pointers after struggling recently with his shot.
R.J. Barrett was the main man for the Knicks, scoring 23 points with seven rebounds and seven assists, but shot just seven-of-27 from the field as he struggled down the stretch.
Speaking to post-game media, Durant said he felt the animosity in the building towards himself and his team, and that he knows why.
“We know how much Knicks fans don’t like us,” he said. “Especially now, in this era of the Nets, with [Kyrie and I] not choosing the Knicks [in free agency].
“It definitely adds something to the rivalry… imagine the tweets I’ve been getting since I decided to come to the Nets, from Knicks fans. They’re still pi**** off about the stuff I say, and the little jabs here and there.
“But like I said, it’s always love in the streets when I see Knicks fans, it’s always love at the games, but it’s a good rivalry to be a part of.
“Everybody who steps in our building will realize how big these games are – it felt like a home game to us the last two times in [Madison Square] Garden, and it feels like a home game for the Knicks when they come to Barclays.
“It’s good to be a part of this, it’s a fun rivalry, and hopefully it continues to build, and we get more and more animosity between the fan bases. It will be good for the game.”
