Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against the Miami Heat on Saturday in New York City. Photo: VCG

Kevin Durant scored a team-high 31 points as the new-look Brooklyn Nets solved some of their defensive woes on Saturday to hold on and beat the shorthanded Miami Heat 128-124.

Since putting together the dynamic trio of Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, the Nets have had no trouble showcasing their offense but have struggled on the other side of the court.

Irving finished with 28 points, and Harden was held to just 12 but dished out 11 assists, as Brooklyn halted a modest two game losing streak. Durant returned to the lineup after sitting out Friday's 125-113 loss to Cleveland to get some extra rest.

Brooklyn has now allowed 396 points in their last three games after losing back-to-back contests to the Cavaliers, including an 147-135 double overtime loss on Wednesday.

Bam Adebayo finished with 41 points and nine assists to lead the Heat, who rallied from a 14 point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to give the Nets a run for their money down the stretch at Barclays Center arena in New York.

Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry passed Hall of Famer Reggie Miller to become the player to make the second most three-pointers in NBA history, after making his 2,561st against the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

Curry is now just 412 three-pointers behind the record, held by Hall of Famer Ray Allen.

The record-breaking three came ­early in the second half of the game. Curry drove into the lane, passed the ball out to Draymond Green on the wing, relocated in the corner and nailed the shot off a quick feed from Green.

Also on Saturday, Nikola Jokic had 29 points and 22 rebounds, Jamal ­Murray scored 26, and the visiting Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 120-112 in double overtime on Saturday night.

Michael Porter Jr had 14 points and 11 rebounds, JaMychal Green scored 16, Monte Morris added 13 and Gary Harris finished with 10 for the Nuggets, who swept the two overtime games in Phoenix.

Chris Paul had 21 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds, Jae Crowder also scored 21 points and Deandre Ayton had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns before fouling out in the first overtime.