The Nets needed every second from Kevin Durant to pull out a win in game five, but could they expect the same on the road in game six Thursday night?
After playing a full 48 minutes of playoff intensity just two nights ago, Brian Scalabrine thinks assumptions of an encore would be unfair.
“Obviously I think Kevin Durant is the best player in the entire world, I think there’s no weakness to his game, but he would have to be superhuman to back up what he did the other night,” Scalabrine told Moose and Maggie on Thursday. “With that performance playing 48 minutes in a game and having no residual effects whatsoever.”
With Kyrie Irving out due to a sprained ankle and James Harden playing through a hamstring injury, head coach Steve Nash told reporters after the game five win that playing Durant 48 minutes wasn’t ideal, but that Brooklyn likely doesn’t take a 3-2 series lead otherwise. The Nets will likely have to find a way to win without 48 minutes of Durant if they want to avoid a game seven.
“They needed to win that game and they did what they had to do,” Scalabrine said. “I think Steve Nash will be sort of quick triggered to get him out of the game early and get some rest…I can’t imagine after playing 48 minutes and doing what Kevin Durant did that he’s gonna back it up and have another unreal performance again.
“I think Kevin Durant will be good. I don’t think he’ll be otherworldly. But I do think there’s gonna be somewhat of a toll from those guys playing so many minutes in this game. It does seem like it’s going to all come down to game seven.”
Durant will try to replicate his 49-point triple-double, but Scalabrine says the real X-factor in game six will be Harden, who played 46 minutes in game five but shot just 1-for-10 from the floor.
“My eyes are more focused on James Harden,” Scalabrine said. “Is he going to be like he was the other night? If he is, the Nets aren’t winning in Milwaukee.”
Reggie Miller raised eyebrows after game five when he suggested the Nets sit Durant and Harden in game six after playing so many minutes in game five, punting to a seventh game where Brooklyn’s stars would be more rested. Scalabrine admitted it wasn’t a bad idea, but in the playoffs, it’s just not an option. Durant and Harden will be on the floor for game six, looking to clinch the series and avoid that seventh game.
“I think if you’re looking at it from a strict body standpoint, that’s probably the smart thing to do, I just don’t see it,” Scalabrine said. “That would take big cahones to do that in a game six on the road. You’re playing with fire at that point.”
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