Kevin Durant and Nenad Krstic Combine to Drop Nets

Originally Published: Dec 28, 2009 9:8 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey -- There is no such thing as a “no-doubter” in the world of professional sports. That’s the whole point of competition in the first place.

Though, a rumble with the New Jersey Nets hardly strikes fear in the heart of the opponent. The Nets, with all of two wins on the season, are an offensive and defensive disaster, placing at or near the bottom in the NBA in many statistical categories.

That said, the Nets hung with the Thunder through much of Monday’s game. Oklahoma City pulled away in the fourth quarter and dusted the Nets 105-89 at the IZOD Center.

Kevin Durant scored 40 points, tying his season-best. Nenad Krstic scored 19 points against his former team, which was bested only by his 20-point performance in the season-opener against the Sacramento Kings, and Russell Westbrook added 16 points and 10 assists for a double-double.

The loss was the tenth-straight for the Nets, who have had three head coaches throughout the season.

Yi Jianlian led the way for New Jersey, scoring 29 points. Devin Harris – 11 points, 11 assists – and Nick Collison – 11 points, 10 rebounds – contributed double-doubles for New Jersey and Oklahoma City respectively.

It wasn’t until late that the Thunder pulled away from the hapless Nets, outscoring New Jersey 21-13 in the fourth quarter.