Nets beat Pacers, to host play-in match against Cavs

Nets to host Cavaliers Tuesday, with winner advancing to face No.2 seed Boston Celtics

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - With the Brooklyn Nets' 143-126 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, Brooklyn jumped to the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

The Nets had a good start at the beginning, building a 41-29 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter ended with a 35-31 score in favor of Brooklyn.

The Pacers, however, took a 7-point lead at the end of the third quarter, 34-27 at Barclays Center.

Kevin Durant recorded a triple-double as he led the Nets with 20 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. Andre Drummond contributed to the Nets’ victory with a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Kyrie Irving was the highest scorer of the game with 35 points.

For the losing side, Tyrese Haliburton posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Oshae Brissett finished the game with 28 points.

- Cavaliers remain in 8th place after beating Bucks

The Cleveland Cavaliers tasted a 133-115 victory over Milwaukee Bucks to secure the No.8 seed.

Playing at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland’s Evan Mobley made a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen played with 23 points and seven rebounds while Turkish international Cedi Osman produced 15 points.

Jordan Nwora and Sandro Mamukelashvili posted double-doubles for the Bucks.

Nigerian forward Nwora scored 24 points and 10 rebounds as Georgian center Mamukelashvili finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds.

On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center in the first play-in game.

Boston Celtics, who finished with the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference will take on Brooklyn Nets or Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

- Hawks beat Rockets 130-114

Atlanta Hawks claimed a 130-114 victory against Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.

Clint Capela notched a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Trae Young scored 28 points for the win.

The Rockets tasted an away defeat despite the big performance from Jalen Green. Rookie Jalen Green dropped a career-high 41 points.

The 2022 NBA play-in tournament will tip off on Tuesday and the first round of the 2022 playoffs will begin on Saturday.

- 2022 NBA playoffs schedule:

Saturday

Utah Jazz - Dallas Mavericks

West 7 seed - Memphis Grizzlies

Toronto Raptors - Philadelphia 76ers

Denver Nuggets - Golden State Warriors

Sunday