Pistons-Nets Preview

By JEFF MEZYDLO
Posted Feb 01 2012 12:44AM

A visit from the lowly Detroit Pistons is coming at the perfect time for the New Jersey Nets.

Coming off consecutive defeats, the Nets try for a fourth straight home win over a Pistons team looking to avoid a season-high seventh loss in a row in the finale of back-to-back-to-back games Wednesday night.

New Jersey (7-15) had won four of six before falling 94-73 at home to Toronto on Sunday, and lost 106-99 at Indiana on Tuesday. Deron Williams had 34 points with seven assists and Anthony Morrow scored 28, but the short-handed Nets succumbed to a 12-0 third-quarter Pacers' run that changed the game.

The Nets also committed 19 turnovers Indiana converted into 30 points.

"Our team got down 12 or 14 points, but we kept battling and then we got within striking distance," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "Unfortunately, the ball just popped out on us."

New Jersey remained competitive despite playing without injured contributors MarShon Brooks (toe), Mehmet Okur (back) and DeShawn Stevenson (knee). Of the trio, only Stevenson appears available to play Wednesday.

Williams, meanwhile, has averaged 29.8 points in the last four games. He's totaled 40 points and 22 assists in his last two versus Detroit.

Regardless of who is in the Nets' lineup, it's likely they still have a good chance to bounce back against the Pistons (4-19). Detroit, which last dropped seven in a row during an 11-game skid March 13-April 3, 2010, has averaged just 81.8 points while going 1-11 on the road. The Pistons have dropped five of six at New Jersey.

Without Ben Gordon (shoulder), Will Bynum (foot) and Charlie Villanueva (ankle), the Pistons allowed New York to shoot 60 percent (42 of 70), including 9 of 18 from 3-point range, in Tuesday's 113-86 loss at Madison Square Garden.

"We just didn't give ourselves a chance," said forward Tayshaun Prince, who had 10 points. "When you're losing games and playing the way we're playing, the one thing you want to do is give yourself a chance to win."

The Pistons have struggled mightily on the defensive end during their six-game skid, giving up 103.0 points per contest while opponents have shot 52.2 percent overall and 50 of 97 (51.5 percent) from beyond the arc.

"We're not even putting ourselves in a position where these games are in doubt," said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank, who returns to New Jersey where he coached the Nets from 2004 until he was fired after an 0-16 start to the 2009-10 season. "We're all embarrassed that we're not doing better. We all have to raise our hands and figure out ways we can improve."

Second-year center Greg Monroe has been one of the few bright spots for the Pistons, averaging 17.4 points and 10.6 rebounds over the last five games. Though Monroe scored 20 points each in Detroit's two home victories over the Nets last season, he was held to five in an 89-74 loss at New Jersey on Jan. 21, 2011.

Williams scores 26 as Nets top Pistons 99-96

Posted Feb 01 2012 11:39PM

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) A few minutes after having another strong game, Deron Williams was asked about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude during what has been a trying season.

The look on his face in response to the question was one of irritation.

"I love it here," Williams deadpanned after he scored 26 points to help the New Jersey Nets beat the Detroit Pistons 99-96 Wednesday night.

It was the fifth straight game Williams scored 20 or more points as the Nets improved to 8-15. He has finished in double figure scoring in every game this season.

Kris Humphries had 18 points, Jordan Farmar added 15 and Shawne Williams 15 for the Nets.

"It's big for us," Shelden Williams said of the win.

Greg Monroe and Tayshaun Prince scored 21 points each for the Pistons, who have lost 20 of 24 this season. Detroit rookie point guard Brandon Knight added 15 points, Jonas Jerebko had 14 and Walker Russell Jr. 12.

Knight missed a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left in the game.

"It felt good. It didn't go in," Knight said of the errant shot. "It did feel good."

After trailing by 12 points midway through the third quarter, Detroit pulled to 72-71 entering the fourth. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the final quarter, with Williams' playmaking the difference.

Taking advantage of his pass-or-shoot options, Williams routinely broke down Knight. He would then drive, shoot or set up his teammates. Williams shot 12 for 21 from the field and had nine assists on the Nets' 38 baskets.

"Going 1-on-1 with Deron Williams is very tough," Knight said.

Added Pistons coach Lawrence Frank: "Deron Williams is a special player."

The game between two of the Eastern Conference's weaker teams was predictably sloppy. In the first quarter, Monroe drove baseline and elevated. He extended his arm a split-second before releasing the ball, which missed the rim by 6 inches. Deron Williams' teammates fumbled a half-dozen of his passes in the first three quarters.

"We were on a back-to-back and I think they were as well," Humphries said. "You can't take anyone lightly. They made a push at the end. (It was) sloppy (at times)."

New Jersey took advantage of Detroit's porous perimeter defense, shooting 48 percent from the field and 35 percent on 3s.

"Jordan Farmar had some big 3s and Shawne Williams gave us a big boost in the first half with his 3-point shooting," New Jersey coach Avery Johnson said.

The game also marked Frank's return to New Jersey for the first time since taking over the Pistons. Frank was 225-241 record in 466 games spanning seven seasons with the Nets, including four straight playoff appearances.

"I love New Jersey. It's home," said Frank, who was an assistant on the Celtics last season. "There are a lot of great memories."

Frank expressed concern before the game about his team's effort and defensive shortcomings in their last two losses to the Milwaukee Bucks (103-82) and New York Knicks (113-86). The Pistons have been outscored by an average of 11.1 points per game this season.

"We have to install defensive intensity. (It is the) only way we have a chance of winning," Frank said. "(We) want to establish a defense-first mentality.)"

Despite the loss, Frank's players echoed their coach's message.

"To be able to have a chance, it felt good," Prince said. "The positive is that we played harder than we've been playing throughout this losing streak. We have to continue to play hard. If we play hard, good things can happen."

NOTES: The Nets dressed only eight players due to injuries to centers Brook Lopez and Mehmet Okur, forward Damion James and guard MarShon Brooks. "(I) can't ever remember having under 10 players," Johnson said. . The newest Nets player, veteran swingman Keith Bogans, made his debut against Detroit. "Bogans can play the two or the three, has the respect of the officials (and) can make a three," Johnson said. The coach estimated that Bogans would play "a minimum of 12 minutes." Bogans scored two points in 18 minutes.

Notebook: Nets 99, Pistons 96

By Jake Appleman, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday February 1, 2012 11:16PM

THE FACTS: Despite dressing only eight players, the Nets withstood a strong push from the Pistons in a 99-96 win. Deron Williams (26 points, nine assists) made shooting jumpers look easy in a dominant performance. Jordan Farmar pitched in 15 points and Kris Humphries (18 points, eight rebounds) led an undermanned Nets frontcourt. Tayshaun Prince and Greg Monroe popped in 21 apiece for the Pistons.

QUOTABLE: "I told them that they were the great eight tonight, and that's the only way that you can look at it."
-- Nets coach Avery Johnson

THE STAT: Of the 16 teams that have participated in back-to-back-to-back games, only the Pistons have lost all three games.

TURNING POINT: Despite a superb second half, Prince wasn't able to tie the game at 98 on a midrange turnaround jumper with time running out.

QUOTEABLE II: "I was just taking what the defense was giving me today. The sets that we ran, a lot of them were for me to come off of pin-downs and my jumper felt good--15-18 foot range--so I was taking advantage of that."
-- Deron Williams

QUOTEABLE III: "It's hard to do layups before the game with eight people. You get tired, because it's just like you're going around and around."
-- Deron Williams

INSIDE THE ARENA: One of the few fans in attendance called Jordan Williams "Aubrey" when he was shooting free throws, a reference to rapper Drake, who looks a little bit like Williams.

ROOKIE WATCH: For the Nets, MarShon Brooks (broken toe, right foot) did not play, but Jordan Williams (a career-high nine points and eight rebounds) was the opportunistic benefactor of a few lucky bounces and contributed important minutes in the most important game of his career.

For the Pistons, Brandon Knight (15 points, four assists) combined blazing speed with too many missed 3-pointers, while D-League call-up and New Jersey native Walker Russell Jr. (12 points, six rebounds) made noteworthy contributions as the team's backup point guard.

NOTABLE: Only three Nets that dressed for the game don't have the word Jordan or Williams in their name. Those Nets: Keith Bogans (making his team debut), Sundiata Gaines and Humphries. An exclusive Jordan/Williams lineup did not see court time, although all four Williams men were on the court together midway through the third quarter... Shelden Williams, or "The Landlord" as he's known in Newark, scored the Nets' first two baskets on putbacks... Prince scored 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting in the third quarter... Out of a timeout, Bogans sliced to the rim and made a layup while being fouled to put the Nets up 98-92 with a little over a minute remaining in the game. They were his first points with the team...Deron Williams is now 11-0 against the Pistons for his career...The Pistons will come back a week from today and the teams will also play in Detroit on Feb. 10.

UP NEXT: For the Pistons, Friday vs. Milwaukee, Saturday vs. New Orleans, Wednesday @ New Jersey. For the Nets, Friday vs. Minnesota, Saturday @ New York, Monday vs. Chicago.

• Pistons: Villanueva
• Nets: James, Lopez, Stevenson

• Pistons: --
• Nets: --

• Lead Changes: 11
• Times Tied: 9

• Arena: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
• Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #11 Derrick Collins, #50 Olandis Poole
• Attendance: 10504
• Duration: 2:19