NBA roundup: Nets pay high price in Miami win, Harden reaches career milestone for Sixers

Miami, Florida - Kevin Durant went down injured before Royce O'Neale scored the game-winning two-pointer with 3.2 seconds left as the Brooklyn Nets edged the Miami Heat 102-101 in the NBA on Sunday.

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton hugs forward Royce O'Neale, who scored the winning two-pointer against the Miami Heat.
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton hugs forward Royce O'Neale, who scored the winning two-pointer against the Miami Heat.  © USA TODAY Sports

Durant exited late in the third quarter with a right knee issue after Jimmy Butler fell on him, but the Nets did enough without him to improve to 27-13 overall and second spot in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn have won 18 of their last 20 games.

Butler put the Heat ahead 101-100 with a dunk with 1:12 remaining, but O'Neale had the final say with a putback after Kyrie Irving had missed a 30-foot three-point attempt.

Irving top scored for Brooklyn with 28 points, including six-of-15 from three-point range with six assists, while Nic Claxton contributed strongly again with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.

NBA's Joel Embiid to undergo left knee procedure
NBA NBA's Joel Embiid to undergo left knee procedure

Durant managed 17 points on five-of-11 shooting from the field with five rebounds in his 30 minutes on the court.

Butler top-scored for the Heat with 26 points, but shot nine-of-21 from the field with two turnovers, while Tyler Herro finished with 24 points before limping off late.

Bam Adebayo was also limited by a right-hand contusion, scoring 10 points with eight rebounds.

Around the league: Harden with triple-double in Sixers win, Suns skid continues

James Harden recorded a triple-double as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons 123-111.
James Harden recorded a triple-double as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons 123-111.  © USA TODAY Sports

James Harden recorded a triple-double and became the 27th NBA player with 24,000 career points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons 123-111.

Harden finished with 20 points on seven-of-14 shooting, including three-of-five from beyond the arc, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Tyrese Maxey also came to the fore for the Joel Embiid-less 76ers, while Pistons guard Killian Hayes had a game-high 26 points, with four three-pointers.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn axed after shaky start
NBA Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn axed after shaky start

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers consigned the short-handed Phoenix Suns to their sixth straight defeat with a 112-98 victory as Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland scored 22 points each.

Mitchell, who scored a season-high 71 points in last weeks' OT win over the Chicago Bulls, made seven-of-12 from the field, while Garland dished off seven assists in a fine display.

The Suns were missing their backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker but were within one point at three-quarter time before fading.

Duane Washington top scored for Phoenix in 25 minutes off the bench with 25 points, including five triples.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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