Final
Nets hold off Cavs
Jan 28, 2012 - 5:20 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Deron Williams recorded a double-double with 27 points and 10 assists as the Nets held off the Cavaliers 99-96 at Quicken Loans Arena.Kris Humphries, who left Friday's shootaround with an illness, fought through it scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 boards. Anthony Morrow added 22 points and six rebounds.
The Nets have now won three of four, closing out a three-game road trip. New Jersey returns home Sunday to take on Toronto.
Kyrie Irving led the way for Cleveland scoring a career-high 32 points including 21 in the fourth quarter. Antawn Jamison added 20 points and six rebounds and Ramon Sessions scored 11 off the bench as the Cavaliers dropped their fifth game in the last six tries.
"Obviously not happy with the way the game went," said Cleveland head coach Byron Scott. "It started from the beginning of the game. I didn't think we came out with the energy that we needed. In the last quarter, we played with tremendous energy...but we can't play that way. That's way too late. If we don't come out and play aggressively and with that type of energy from start to finish, we're going to keep having these up and down type games."
Cleveland will travel to Boston in its next contest on Sunday.
The Cavaliers, who trailed by as many as 17 in the fourth, had the margin down just six with 24.9 seconds to play.
Sundiata Gaines missed two from the line for the Nets, and Anderson Varejao's deep two with 16.9 seconds left put his team down 97-93. Video replay confirmed Varejao's toe was barely touching the line.
The Cavaliers were forced to foul and Morrow calmly hit two free throws to ice the victory for the Nets.
A meaningless three from Irving counted as time expired to make the final score closer than the game really was.
Back-to-back Jordan Farmar layups gave the Nets a 25-18 lead with 3:03 left to play in the first frame and the quarter ended with the Nets leading, 30-20.
"The guys played hard and came out with a lot of focus early in the game. I think we set the tone for this game in the first quarter," said New Jersey head coach Avery Johnson.
Neither team was able to get it going in the second until a Humphries layup with 3:26 to go sparked an 11-0 run for the Nets. Irving stopped the run with four consecutive points, but the Cavs entered halftime trailing, 47-37.
The Nets, who entered the game leading the NBA in three-pointers made, found their stroke from outside in the third as they hit five of their eight three- pointers to take a 72-61 lead entering the final stanza.
Game Notes
MarShon Brooks (Achilles) missed his third straight game for the Nets, while teammate Mehmet Okur (back) missed the game and will have MRI on Saturday...The Cavaliers beat the Nets 50-26 in points in the paint...The Nets got their first win (1-11) when being outrebounded by their opponent...The Nets shot 39 percent from behind the arc.
- NEW JERSEY: 99
CLEVELAND: 96
Final
Jan 27 9:57 PM - NEW JERSEY: 99
CLEVELAND: 96
End of Regulation
Jan 27 9:56 PM - NEW JERSEY: 72
CLEVELAND: 61
End of 3rd
Jan 27 9:15 PM - NEW JERSEY: 47
CLEVELAND: 37
Halftime
Jan 27 8:36 PM - NEW JERSEY: 30
CLEVELAND: 20
End of 1st
Jan 27 8:02 PM - NEW JERSEY: 0
CLEVELAND: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Jan 27 7:44 PM
Related News
- NBA Injury Updates: Karl Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons to Miss Significant Time Mar 7
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons preview: Pistons try to avoid history Dec 26
- Kevin Ollie enjoying his new role with Brooklyn Nets as assistant coach ... and motivator Dec 25
- Dennis Smith Jr. return brings instant benefits to Brooklyn Nets Dec 25
- 3 Takeaways from Brooklyn Nets historic victory over Detroit Pistons Dec 24
- Brooklyn Nets let Detroit Pistons wilt, win 126-115 Dec 23
- Cavs beat Bulls 109-95 Dec 23
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls gamethread Dec 23
- Cavs down to 10 healthy players vs. Bulls Dec 23
- Joe Harris returns to the Barclays Center under bittersweet circumstances Dec 23
- NBA Live Thread: Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 PM ET Dec 23