NEW YORK -- For a few moments, it appeared as though the Nets had won the summer free-agency sweepstakes but were destined to lose their first matchup with their crosstown opponent.
Then, Kyrie Irving, who has made a name for himself as a premier shooter under pressure, sank a go-ahead 3-pointer as the clocked ticked down to 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Nets, once up by 19, were able to hang on to beat the Knicks 113-109.
Afterward, Irving spoke about the difference in the rivalry with the Knicks since the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn.