Nets reaction: Short-handed Nets find a way to beat the Pelicans

Kyrie Irving led the Nets past Zion and the Pelicans on Tuesday night.

With the news that James Harden would be out indefinitely, the Nets had to get used to the personnel that were available, totaling only nine players. What made things worse was the fact that the Pelicans were looking for revenge after Brooklyn stomped them in the first meeting at the  Barclays Center.

They started off the game in the mood for revenge too, going up 21-8 on the Nets. Brooklyn responded though before the half ended, thanks to efforts from Jeff Green (11 PTS), Bruce Brown (10 PTS, 6 REBS), and Blake Griffin (10 PTS).

In the second half, it was Kyrie Irving’s turn. He flipped the switch after an uncharacteristic first half and went off for 32 points. It was his clutch plays down the stretch that stood out. Hitting shot after shot when Brooklyn needed it the most. To finish things off, Uncle Drew added a clutch strip on Zion Williamson in the final 4 seconds of the game, which went out of bounds off of Williamson. Irving then sunk two free throws after getting fouled following the play and Brooklyn, somehow, held on to win.