‘Aggressive’ blow from Garnett fires up Pacers forward

NEW YORK — David West felt Kevin Garnett’s breath in his ear in the first quarter of the Pacers game against the Nets at the Barclays Center on Saturday night.

“It was too close and I didn’t like it,” the veteran Indiana Pacers forward said.

West picked up a technical foul for pushing Garnett and then picked up Indiana with a strong second half, leading the Pacers to a 110-85 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

West scored 15 of his 17 points after the break and had five rebounds and five assists as Indiana (11-20) won away from home for the second time in the last 10 games.

“That’s David West. He has the will and determination to talk out coverages on the defensive end and make big shots,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “There’s a lot of leaders in the NBA who lead by talking and then there’s leaders who can go and get a big shot. He hit several of those big shots late in the third quarter.”

Garnett’s action was reminiscent of former Pacers forward Lance Stephenson blowing in LeBron James’ ear a year ago, but West said there was a difference.

“It was an aggressive blow at that,” West said. “I think Lance’s was more sensual. That was an aggressive one.”