The Eastern Conference runs through Kevin Durant now.
As Durant repeatedly rose over defenders to effortlessly unleash a series twine-tickling jumpers on Monday, his Brooklyn Nets felt fine defending Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo with DeAndre Jordan, sagging 15 feet off the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP and daring him to drive. The juxtaposition was jarring.
The last of Durant’s daggers came with 36.8 seconds left, when he stepped into a three-pointer that gave the Nets a 125-123 victory. When it came to winning time, Milwaukee’s hopes hanging on an inbounds play, the Bucks put the game in Khris Middleton’s hands.