Madison Square Garden
February 20, 2012
Williams has 38, Nets handle Linsanity
NEW YORK—Linsanity started against the Nets.
This time, All-Star guard Deron Williams was determined not to be embarrassed by the Harvard guy again.
Williams scored a season-high 38 points, outplaying Jeremy Lin and leading the Nets to a 100-92 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night.
For more, read Brian Mahoney's AP game recap: Click Here
or view the TV Companion enhanced box score.
NETS-KNICKS LIVE CHAT
NETS-KNICKS NOTEBOOK
THE STAT: Thanks to a combination of Jeremy Lin, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks raced out to a 13-3 lead less than five minutes into the game. The Nets were able to get back in the game thanks to some hot 3-point shooting. In the first quarter alone, they shot 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. The hot shooting started there and never stopped as the Nets went 9-for-16 from deep in the first half and 15-for-31 for the game.
HOT: Whether or not Deron Williams felt there was a point to be made given the perception that he unintentionally started Linsanity 16 days ago, Williams made definitely made a point. At one juncture of the third quarter with the Nets leading 69-59, Williams hit a 3-pointer with J.R. Smith's hand in his face and followed that by pulling up for another 3-pointer in transition the next time down. The transition trey extended the Nets' lead to 75-59 with 2:48 to go in the third.
For more, read the's NBA.com notebook: Click Here
NETS NOTES When Deron Williams, limited by foul trouble, played only 2:20 in the final period before fouling out with 3:07 to play, the Nets were able to keep – and even extend – the lead despite a Knicks push. Avery Johnson credited backup point guard Sundiata Gaines, recently pressed into action following Jordan Farmar's groin strain, with keeping the team afloat:
"The guy that did it for us is Sundiata Gaines. He attacked for us, he played great defense during that stretch. So as much as Deron’s going to be a big headline tonight, which he very well should be, Gaines closed the game for us."
Gaines finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 16 minutes off the bench...F Kris Humphries, playing an astounding 44 minutes on the final night of a back-to-back-to-back set, posted yet another double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds...Rookie G MarShon Brooks sneakily posted an impressive line: 18 points (7-15 FGs), 3 rebounds, 5 assists...F-C Shelden Williams, starting with Brook Lopez being rested, pulled down 10 rebounds – his third game in four with double-digit boards. (He had 9 in the other.)
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GAME VIDEO
PHOTO OF THE GAME
| LINE OF THE NIGHT | |
| ONCOURT | |
Deron Williams |
34 MIN 38 PTS, 6 AST 4 REB, 10-22 FGs 8-14 3Ps, 10-12 FTs |
| OFFCOURT | |
Avery Johnson |
On Deron's performance: "Deron was on fire. We told him, even this morning: ‘If you’ve got some looks at 3s, just take ’em. We know you can make them, but just be aggressive. And if their point guard’s not on you, we’ll try to figure a way to get him back on you so you can attack.'" |
