Durant scores 42, Nets torch depleted Pacers 130-113

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<p>INDIANAPOLIS &mdash; Kevin Durant scored a season-high 42 points, including 22 in the third quarter, and the Eastern Conference-leading Brooklyn Nets glided to a 130-113 victory over the depleted Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.</p>
<p>Playing without Kyrie Irving and James Harden, the Nets built a double-digit lead by the second quarter and were never seriously threatened.</p>
<p>Durant hit 16 of 24 shots and had 10 assists in his eighth start since being sidelined for nearly two months with a hamstring injury. It was the All-Star forward’s third game of 30 points or more since his return, which was also interrupted for three games by a thigh injury.</p>
<p>The Nets are 29-8 since Feb. 10, best in the league, and have clinched a playoff spot.</p>
<p>Alize Johnson had 20 points and 21 rebounds for Brooklyn.</p>
<p>Caris LeVert scored 12 of his 36 points in the first quarter for the Pacers, but the Nets still led 35-28 after one behind Jeff Green’s 12 points in the period. Brooklyn’s advantage reached 66-52 by halftime.</p>
<p>Edmond Sumner added 16 points and Doug McDermott scored 15 for the Pacers, who lost point guard Malcolm Brogdon in the second quarter with a sore hamstring.</p>
<p>The Pacers dropped to 11-19 at home. At 29-33, they’re on track for their second losing season since 2011.</p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Nets: Irving (groin) has missed 17 games. Harden (hamstring) last played on April 5.</p>
<p>Pacers: Brogdon missed all five shots and had only one point. … Already without its injured front court including All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis (back), Indiana finished with only one regular starter.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Nets: Host Portland on Friday night.</p>
<p>Pacers: At Oklahoma City on Saturday night.</p>
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