Atlanta – Bring young He had just nailed a triple pointer followed by a slippery brand to cut the Atlanta Hawks’ deficit down to one point with just over three minutes to play.

But next time on Earth, watch Young Kevin Durant He leaned defensively in front of him. Durant’s stellar defense over Young over those past three minutes was instrumental in the Brooklyn Nets’ 113-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

“Just facing the game was great,” said Durant, who finished with 31 points. “This guy with the little points, he’s very cunning and fast. It’s also fun to face that match, he’s one of the best players in the league.”

The Hawks attempted to run actions to get Durant out of Young. But Durant forced the Hawks star to flip, then blocked Young’s shot in the transition and successfully defended another lead as the Nets finished the game 10-3.

At one point Durant shocked Young while setting up a screen and was called in for a foul. Young went to the chest with Durant before officials intervened and demanded double technical fouls.

“I was a bit physical with this procedure and it kind of pushed him a bit,” said Durant, who said he’s known Young since he was 10. “He wanted me out of his space and I respect that. Just part of the game. Nothing personal, it’s all competition.”

“We’re kind,” Young said of the moment. Young scored 31 points on his own in the game but was only shooting 2 of 7 in the fourth quarter with two nations.

After not playing with him in the first half, Nets coach Steve Nash went with him Nick Claxton in the center instead of LaMarcus Aldridge down the extension. His height with Durant and James Johnson The Hawks, who shot 6 of 22 and only scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, smashed.

Earlier this week, the Nets completed their win in Dallas by keeping the Mavericks at just 13 points in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn has now won seven of its last eight road games.

“[Defense provides] absolute confidence” James Harden, who had 20 points and 11 assists. “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, a lot of line-ups etc. We were just trying to figure it out. It was a really good feeling to just do the guard.”