MIAMI β The version of the Nets their fans hope shows up in the playoffs showed up Saturday night.
The defense was sound, but still smothering; the fast-break was fueled by turnovers. And the result was a resounding 110-95 rout of the Eastern Conference-leading Heat before a sellout crowd of 19,600 β including Nets owner Joe Tsai β at FTX Arena.
Kevin Durant had 23 points and three steals. Seth Curry returned from an ankle injury to score 17 points. Kyrie Irving β now able to play at home after the exemption to New York Cityβs private sector vaccine mandates β had 11 points and six assists. The Nets led by as many as 37 points before the starters sat out the fourth quarter.
βYou could see the energy and commitment,β coach Steve Nash said. βItβs great when we can turn defense to offense. We can be punishing in transition, but really itβs just about getting stops. Thatβs the No. 1 thing.β
The Nets had 15 steals, and by…