NETS 104, BOBCATS 101: Deron Williams scored a career-high and franchise record 57 points as visiting New Jersey came from behind to hand Charlotte its fifth consecutive setback.
Williams added seven assists and six rebounds while going 16 for 29 from the field and 21 of 21 from the free-throw line.
Kris Humphries chipped in 11 points and 13 rebounds as the only other player in double figures for the Nets, who lost Brook Lopez to injury in the first half.
The Bobcats led by as much as 53-37 late in the second quarter before New Jersey began to bounce back. Williams led an 8-0 burst closing the half to cut it to 53-45 at the break and the Nets controlled the third quarter.
Williams scored 22 points in the third, giving New Jersey a 73-72 lead heading into the final frame.
Williams had an answer for every Charlotte run in the fourth, including a step-back jumper with 1:16 left after the Bobcats had cut it to 96-94. Williams hit two more free throws and Marshon Brooks split a pair to put the game away.
Corey Maggette scored 24 points to lead Charlotte.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Mike Newlin set the previous New Jersey record at 52 points on Dec. 12, 1979. … Williams, who had reached 50 points in a game in Turkey during the lockout, had totaled 24 points in the previous two contests. … Charlotte owns the NBA’s worst record and has dropped 21 of its last 22 games. … The teams combined for 83 free-throw attempts.
New Jersey | Charlotte | |
Deron Williams 57 | Scoring | Corey Maggette 24 |
Deron Williams 7 | Assists | Boris Diaw 8 |
Kris Humphries 13 | Rebounds | Corey Maggette 7 |
Deron Williams 21 | Free Throws Made | Corey Maggette 15 |
Kris Humphries 1 | Steals | Boris Diaw 2 |
MarShon Brooks 1 | Blocks | DeSagana Diop 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
New Jersey | 104 | 48.5 | 5-17 | 33-44 | 20 | 38 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
Charlotte | 101 | 38.8 | 2-14 | 37-39 | 21 | 39 | 5 | 8 | 9 |