Pregame

A home matchup at Barclay's center for the Brooklyn Nets (3-3) as they face the Detroit Pistons (1-4) on Halloween night. 

The Nets come into the matchup hot following a 105-98 win over the Pacers. 

Meanwhile, the Pistons, after losing four consecutive games, beat the Magic 110-103 in their previous game.

As both teams look to keep the hot hand, here are the team leaders and top storylines:

  • Kevin Durant leads the team in points and rebounds per game with 28.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG. 
  • James Harden is second on the team in points per game with 18.7 and while leading the team with 8 assists per game.
  • Patty Mills leads the team with a 51.1 three-point percentage. 
  • Durant, Harden, and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 72 points against the Pacers (combined for 68.5% of the Nets' points).
  • Jerami Grant and Saddiq Bey are first and second in points per game with 17.3 and 17.2.
  • Grant had 22 points in the first victory over the Magic.
  • The Pistons will be without top pick Cade Cunningham who is out with an ankle injury.

First Half Takeaways

In the 1st quarter, it seemed as though Durant's step-back shots were unstoppable, and he was picking off the Pistons shot after shot.

The Nets finished with 4 turnovers in the 1st quarter, but they were spreading the ball around nicely.

The Pistons kept it close, only trailing by three points. Grant led the team in scoring with 9 first quarter points. 

On another note, the Pistons only turned the ball over once and were 6-for-8 in the paint. 

END 1ST Nets 28, Pistons 25

Well, trailing by three points would not last long as the Pistons would be outscored 36-24 in the 2nd quarter. 

The Nets would clean up the turnovers in the second, only committing 2 of them. Harden, Durant, and Aldridge would heat up in the second giving the Nets a 15-point advantage heading into the half.

For the Pistons, Jerami Grant would be held to just 2 points in the 2nd quarter and they would commit three early turnovers. 

The Pistons could not keep up with the Net's firepower, as the Nets looked relentless. 

HALFTIME Nets 64, Pistons 49

Halloween Halftime Treats

Nets Pistons
Kevin Durant 8/11 on FG, 19pts Jerami Grant 11pts, only two points in the 2nd period
James Harden ⅔ on 3 pointers, 6 rebounds, 7 assists Josh Jackson 10pts, 4 of 8 FG, 2 of 3 three points made
Nets 60% 3-point shooting, 66.7% FG (from the floor) 22 pts in the paint, only 20-42 FG made
Team: 15 assists, 21 rebounds 5 steals

A Scary Second Half

It was not a good quarter for the Pistons as they would be trailing by the end once again. Both squads would commit 5 turnovers apiece, but it was the flagrant foul that was the storyline of the 3rd quarter.

Kevin Durant, who was on fire up until this point in the game, was ejected for elbowing and shoving Pistons' Kelly Olynyk.
https://twitter.com/SNYNets/status/1454979162494619649?s=20  

Against the Pacers, Durant threw a basketball up into the crowd in the third period in frustration but was not ejected as the refs did not notice the ball enter the stands at that moment. That could have been a potential ejection as well and Durant must be careful going forward to stay on the court and help his team.

Durant put up 23 points before he was ejected, ending the game as the team's top scorer without playing in the 4th quarter.

END 3RD Nets 96, Pistons 74

A Triple Double for Harden

Without Durant, the Nets would need to finish the game strong. 

James Harden was dominating all game long and that did not stop in the 4th period to lead the Nets to a 117-91 victory. 

Harden, who had 12 triple-doubles a season ago, would end the game with 18 points, 18 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Final Trick or Treat Stats

Brooklyn Nets

  • Durant and Harden were an unstoppable connection through the first 3 periods and they had the Pistons number every time.
  • The Nets had 54 pts from the bench led by LaMarcus Aldridge (16) and DeAndre Bembry (15).
  • The Nets dominated in all phases of the game with 65.3% from the field and 52% on 3pt shots.
  • Team totals: 42 shots in the paint and 41 rebounds.
  • Brooklyn committed 20 turnovers in the game, yet the Nets firepower was enough to propel them past the Pistons.
  • The Nets spread the ball around: Durant, Aldridge, Harden, and Bembry all had 15pts or more.
  • Next game: Atlanta Hawks

Pistons

  • 54 pts off the bench, yet just 37pts from the Starting 5.
  • Cory Joseph led the team with points and was 4 of 6 on the floor and had 13 pts.
  • The Pistons only made 40.5% of their shots in the field.
  • Team totals: only 29 rebounds in this one and 15 turnovers.
  • Grant would not score after halftime, just 11pts total. (Held to 0 pts in the 3rd & 4th).
  • Just a beat-down game for the Pistons, the team looked out of sync and were no match for the Nets.
  • Next Game: Milwaukee Bucks 

END GAME Nets 117, Pistons 91