PHOTO: AP
NEW ORLEANS Kyrie Irving capped a 32-point performance with a tough turnaround jumper, a driving layup through converging defenders and four free throws in the final minute, and the Brooklyn Nets held on for a 134-129 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).
Joe Harris also hit a pair of late free throws to cap his 24-point night for the Nets, who won despite being without both Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Brooklyn coach Steve Nash twice commanded the Nets to foul Pelicans ball-handlers coming across halfcourt in the final seconds rather than allow New Orleans to set up potential game-tying 3-point shots.
Dante Exum could still feature for Cleveland this NBA season and at the Olympics for the medal-hunting Boomers with reports that he ll miss between one and two months with a calf injury.
Initial fears were Exum had suffered an Achilles tear that would have ruled him out of the NBA season and July s Olympics in Toyko, where Australia fancy their chances of claiming a maiden international medal.
Instead on Wednesday, The Athletic s Shams Charania confirmed the Cavaliers initial diagnosis of a less-severe calf strain, reporting that Exum is expected to miss one-to-two months .
The 25-year-old Exum was traded by the Utah Jazz late in 2019 after five injury-hit years and quickly established himself as a starter or first-choice bench option for Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff.