The Brooklyn Nets evened the series at 2-2 with a resounding 114-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, thanks in large part to the heroics of James Harden.
After a slow start to the game, Harden came alive in the second half, scoring 20 of his 34 points and dishing out 10 assists. He also grabbed six rebounds and had three steals, playing a major role in Brooklyn’s victory.
The Nets were trailing by six points at halftime, but they came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring the 76ers by 14 points. They never looked back, building a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and holding on for the win.
Brooklyn’s win was all the more impressive given the absence of two of their key players. Kyrie Irving sat out with an ankle injury, while Kevin Durant played just 10 minutes before leaving with a thigh contusion. But the Nets still managed to dominate the game, thanks in large part to Harden’s heroics.
Harden’s performance was especially impressive given the fact that he is still recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the lineup for most of the second half of the regular season. But he has been playing well since returning to the lineup in the playoffs, and his performance in Game 4 was one of his best yet.
The 76ers, meanwhile, will be looking to regroup after a disappointing loss. Joel Embiid led the way with 37 points and 13 rebounds, but he didn’t get enough help from his teammates. Tobias Harris had just 20 points, and Ben Simmons was largely ineffective, scoring just four points and committing five turnovers.
The 76ers will need to make some adjustments if they hope to bounce back in Game 5. They will need Harris and Simmons to step up, and they will need to find a way to slow down Harden, who has been the Nets’ most dangerous player in the series.
Overall, Game 4 was a statement win for the Nets, who showed that they can win even without Irving and Durant. It was also a reminder of just how good Harden can be when he is healthy and playing at his best. The series now heads back to Brooklyn for Game 5, where the Nets will have a chance to take the lead in the series and move one step closer to the Eastern Conference Finals.
