It took the New Jersey Nets 19 games to notch their first win a year ago. Under new coach Avery Johnson this season, it took one.
The host Nets rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final three minutes to stun the Detroit Pistons, 101-98, on Wednesday night.
Brook Lopez scored 25 points and Devin Harris added 22 and nine assists for New Jersey, which set an NBA record by losing its first 18 games last season en route to a 12-70 campaign.
The Pistons led, 95-88, before the Nets staged a 9-0 run to take the lead for good at 97-95 with 26 seconds left. Harris and Jordan Farmar had big three-point plays and Farmar had a key steal before Anthony Morrow capped the comeback with a 3-pointer.
The Pistons closed the first half on a 14-4 run to take a 47-39 lead into the break. Lopez scored 14 points in the third quarter as the Nets regained the lead and took a 70-67 advantage into the final period.
Detroit opened the fourth quarter with a 17-5 run to take an 84-75 lead and seemed in control.
Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva each had 14 points for Detroit, which had seven players in double figures.
Detroit | New Jersey | |
Tayshaun Prince 14 | Scoring | Brook Lopez 25 |
Rodney Stuckey 7 | Assists | Devin Harris 9 |
Ben Wallace 10 | Rebounds | Derrick Favors 10 |
Rodney Stuckey 5 | Free Throws Made | Devin Harris 6 |
Tracy McGrady 2 | Steals | Jordan Farmar 2 |
Tayshaun Prince 2 | Blocks | Brook Lopez 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Detroit | 98 | 44.6 | 8-19 | 16-30 | 21 | 37 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
New Jersey | 101 | 48.8 | 6-14 | 17-24 | 17 | 44 | 4 | 4 | 12 |