NETS 97, BULLS 85: Deron Williams scored 21 of his game-high 29 points in the first half as New Jersey stunned host Chicago.

Williams buried five 3-pointers while adding eight assists as the Nets handed the Bulls just their second home loss of the campaign. Kris Humphries added 24 points and 18 rebounds in the win.

Mike James and Carlos Boozer led the way with 16 points each for the Bulls, who were once again without point guard Derrick Rose. The reigning NBA most valuable player missed his fifth straight game with a back injury.

New Jersey held a 14-point halftime lead and made it stand up in a sloppy third quarter that saw the teams combine for just 25 points on 10-for-37 shooting. Williams knocked down consecutive shots to give the Nets an 84-62 edge early in the fourth quarter, and Chicago didn't challenge the rest of the way.

The Nets stunned the hosts in the opening 12 minutes, breaking out to a 34-21 advantage thanks to 30 combined points from Williams, Brooks and Humphries and a sizzling 66.7-percent shooting performance.

Chicago opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run but couldn't fend off the Nets, who rode 3s from Williams and Jordan Farmar to a 14-point advantage. Williams added another 3 late in the frame, part of a run of nine straight points that lifted New Jersey to a 59-45 edge at the break.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New Jersey connected on nine of 15 3-point attempts in the first half. ... Nets C Brook Lopez was kept out of the game after the club ruled he wasn't quite ready to return from a broken foot. Lopez hasn't played this season but is expected to make his debut next week. ... New Jersey's bench managed just 11 points as the Nets kept their starters in for nearly the entire game. Humphries racked up 45 minutes while Williams and MarShon Brooks played 42 apiece.