Eastern Conference Recaps, Feb. 11: James Harden Has Big Game In Return To Brooklyn

Harden had 29 points in his first game back in Brooklyn

After being listed as questioned due to a foot injury, Joel Embiid recorded 37 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 101-98 victory against the Brooklyn Nets. James Harden had 29 points in his first game back in Brooklyn since being traded on Feb. 10, 2022.

“I don’t get caught up in homecomings or the outside distractions,” Harden said. “I think our focus was just to come here and win a game and we did a good job of that tonight.”

Mikal Bridges led the Nets with 23 points in his debut with the Nets and Cameron Johnson had 12 in his. Joe Harris had 18 points off the bench and Cam Thomas had 14. Spencer Dinwiddie scored nine points and attempted to send the game into overtime with a 3-pointer but released it after time expired.

NEXT 76ERS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Feb. 27 in Philadelphia

NEXT NETS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Feb. 15 in Brooklyn

OTHER NOTES:

-The New York Knicks defeated the Utah Jazz 126-120 behind Jalen Brunson’s 38 points. Julius Randle had 31 points and RJ Barrett had 20. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points and Jordan Clarkson had 24.

NEXT KNICKS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 3 at Miami

NEXT JAZZ GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 13 at Miami

-Nikola Jokic’s 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists led the Denver Nuggets to a 119-105 victory against the Charlotte Hornets. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 15 points and Michael Porter had 14.

P.J. Washington led the Hornets with 22 points and Gordon Hayward had 21.

NEXT NUGGETS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Feb. 13 at Miami

NEXT HORNETS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Feb. 25 in Charlotte

-All five Washington Wizards starters scored double-figures in a 127-113 win against the Indiana Pacers. Bradley Beal led the way with 32 points and Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 21 points and Myles Turner had 20.

NEXT WIZARDS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Apr. 7 in Washington

-Trae Young recorded 24 points and a season-high 17 assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 125-106 victory against the San Antonio Spurs. De’Andre Hunter also had 24 points and Dejounte Murray had 18. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 25 points and rookie Jeremy Sochan had 18.

NEXT HAWKS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 4 at Miami

-The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls 97-89 behind Donovan Mitchell’s 29 points and 10 rebounds. Jarrett Allen had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Darius Garland had 19 points.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 23 points and DeMar DeRozan had 16.

NEXT CAVALIERS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 8 at Miami

NEXT BULLS GAME AGAINST THE HEAT: Mar. 18 in Chicago

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog: https://substack.com/profile/114079068-cory-nelson?utm_source=account-card