Johnson finished 14-of-23 from the floor and added eight rebounds and six assists for the Nets (1-1), who rebounded from an embarrassing season-opening loss at Boston. Kevin Garnett collected 18 points and 14 rebounds and Deron Williams added 15 points and six assists for Brooklyn.
Greg Monroe amassed 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in his season debut for the Pistons (0-3) after being suspended for the first two contests following a guilty plea for driving while visibly impaired. Brandon Jennings finished with 18 points and nine assists and Josh Smith and Andre Drummond added 14 points apiece.
The Pistons pulled ahead 84-83 with 8:48 left when Caron Butler was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and knocked down all three foul shots, but Johnson took control from there. He scored 15 points during a 17-2 run, while Detroit went the final 6:16 without a field goal down.
Johnson scored 17 first-half points as Brooklyn shot 52.3 percent from the floor and took a 59-47 lead into the break. The lead was as large as 14 early in the third quarter before Detroit clawed back and reeled off a 10-2 run to start the fourth period to briefly take the lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Nets coach Lionel Hollins has won 10 of his last 11 meetings against Detroit dating to his time with Memphis. … Garnett recorded his fourth double-double and his highest point total since joining the Nets. … The Pistons were 1-for-17 from 3-point range, including an 0-for-6 showing by SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Brooklyn | Detroit | |
Joe Johnson 34 | Scoring | Brandon Jennings 18 |
Joe Johnson 6 | Assists | Brandon Jennings 9 |
Kevin Garnett 14 | Rebounds | Greg Monroe 11 |
Kevin Garnett 4 | Free Throws Made | Brandon Jennings 6 |
Kevin Garnett 2 | Steals | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1 |
Kevin Garnett 1 | Blocks | Andre Drummond 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Brooklyn | 102 | 48.3 | 7-26 | 11-13 | 18 | 48 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
Detroit | 90 | 42.1 | 1-17 | 25-35 | 21 | 41 | 3 | 3 | 7 |