EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ, April 9 (Ticker) -- After an uninspired performance in their first try at a division title, Jason Kidd made sure the New Jersey Nets did not come out flat again.

Kidd had 21 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds and Aaron Williams scored 19 points off the bench as the Nets clinched their first NBA division title and set a franchise record for victories with a 101-88 victory over the Washington Wizards.

The Nets had a chance to win the Atlantic Division crown on Sunday, but played poorly in a loss to second-place Boston. After the Celtics lost in Chicago on Monday, New Jersey had another chance to clinch the division and wasted little time putting the game out of reach.

Kidd, who is the main reason for New Jersey's remarkable season, scored 11 points in the first quarter as the Nets raced out to a 28-18 lead and never looked back.

NBA TV highlights from Wizards-Nets: 56k | 300k Super slam: 1,100k avi | QT In clinching their first division title, the Nets also established a new team record for victories (50). Noren Trotman NBAE/Getty Images

New Jersey notched a franchise record with its 50th victory and moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Detroit for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

"Guys are just very happy right now," New Jersey coach Byron Scott said. "Just because they know they have done something that has never been done before. They should be extremely proud of their accomplishment right now. We have put a lot of hard work and this team has come a very long way in a short amount of time."

The Nets' first 50-win season follows a 2000-01 campaign that saw them record only 26 victories.

"We have, in one year, turned this whole thing around," Scott said. "These guys have given me their undivided attention. They trusted me and believed in me. Everybody's just been great as far as doing everything that I have asked them to do."

"It feels great," Nets forward Keith Van Horn said. "Considering not only where we came from the last couple of years, but just the difference between this year and last year."

Kidd, who has now been on a 50-win team in four of the last five season, brought a winning attitude and veteran presence to a floundering organization that seemed years away from being a serious contender.

"It feels great to accomplish one of our goals, and that was to win the Atlantic," he said. "We've reached one goal, but there's other ones out there for us to grab."

Kenyon Martin scored 13 points and Kerry Kittles added 12 for the Nets, who won for the 14th time in their last 15 home games.

Richard Hamilton and Tyronn Lue scored 14 points apiece to lead five players in double figures for Washington, which is one loss away from playoff elimination.

"Obviously we have to make some moves in the offseason," Wizards forward Popeye Jones said. "But at the same time we are trying to establish something here. A perfect example is the team we played tonight. They had 26 wins last year and now they're division champs. It keeps hopes for us that we can do the same."

Chris Whitney and Jones each added 12 points as the Wizards shot just 42 percent (30-of-71) and committed 18 turnovers leading to 20 points for the Nets.

Kittles' dunk early in the first quarter gave New Jersey the lead for good, 8-7 and sparked a 15-2 run. Kidd had a layup and a 3-pointer during the spurt and Martin capped it with a pair of free throws for a 21-9 lead with 3:27 remaining.

Williams scored 11 points in the second quarter and the Nets had a 55-43 halftime advantage. Washington never got closer than 10 in the second half and New Jersey had its largest lead, 75-51 after a three-point play by Williams with 6:13 to go in the third quarter.