INDIANAPOLIS — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash realizes that sometimes there's no need to overthink situations, especially when working with great players such as Kevin Durant.
“What can I say? I have the luxury of coaching Kevin Durant," Nash said. “You stick him in the game and good things happen.”The All-Star forward took particular pleasure in drawing the attention of extra defenders, which opened up the offence for teammates. Durant finished with 10 assists. He was plenty efficient when he took his own shots, connecting on 16 of 24 in his eighth start since being sidelined for nearly two months with a hamstring injury.
It was his third game of 30 points or more since his return, which was also interrupted for three games by a thigh injury. Edmond Sumner added 16 points and Doug McDermott scored 15 for the Pacers, who lost point guard Malcolm Brogdon in the second quarter with a sore hamstring.