NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets’ Big 3 quickly became the Big 2 before they took the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Kyrie Irving had 25 as the Nets downed the Bucks, 115-107. Joe Harris provided 19 points for the Nets, who played all but the first 43 seconds without James Harden because of a hamstring injury.
Blake Griffin had 18 points and 14 rebounds while helping Brooklyn hold Milwaukee to 13 points below their NBA-leading average.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 11 rebounds, but the Bucks were just 6 for 30 from 3-point range and lost for the first time in the playoffs after storming past Miami in a first-round sweep.
Game 2 is Monday in Brooklyn.
