• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Nets beat Cavs despite Johnson's struggles

Jan 5, 2014 - 6:28 AM Brooklyn, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Deron Williams scored 21 points and the Brooklyn Nets overcame a a two-point effort from Joe Johnson to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 89-82 at Barclays Center.

Paul Pierce added 17 points and passed Allen Iverson for 19th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Andray Blatche totaled 12 points and Reggie Evans, starting in place of a resting Kevin Garnett, pulled down 11 rebounds to go with eight points.

Johnson, who hit the game-winning jumper in a 95-93 decision at Oklahoma City on Thursday, shot just 1-of-7 from the field and missed all five of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Despite Johnson's struggles, the Nets posted their second straight win after going 1-6 to end December.

"I think we've decided to use the New Year to try and turn things around," Pierce said.

Dion Waiters had 26 points in a reserve role for the Cavaliers, who lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Tristan Thompson's layup had the Cavs within 69-67 early in the fourth quarter, but the Nets scored the ensuing seven points. Blatche's layup capped the burst, and the Cavaliers didn't get closer than six the rest of the way.

Evans and Williams each scored eight during the opening quarter, staking the hosts to a 22-17 edge after 12 minutes.

A 3-pointer from Matthew Dellavedova had the Cavs within 35-31 midway through the second quarter, but the Nets were able to assume control before halftime. Shaun Livingston threw down a pair of dunks and Williams, and Terry each drained 3-pointers to widen the gap to 51-38 at the break.

"If you don't come out with energy, they hit you in the mouth first," Waiters said.

Pierce, who had 11 points in the first half, upped his career total to 24,383, which surpassed Iverson (24,368).

The Nets went 3-of-13 from the field in the third quarter, when the Cavaliers rallied thanks to 17 combined points from Waiters and CJ Miles. A 3-pointer from Miles tied the game at 58 with 2:08 left in the period, but the Cavaliers trailed 67-65 going to the fourth. That's because Mirza Teletovic hit a shot from beyond the arc with 14.7 seconds left.

Game Notes

Nets center Brook Lopez underwent successful surgery Saturday morning to repair the fractured fifth metatarsal of his right foot. In addition to the fracture repair, a second procedure, a first metatarsal osteotomy, was performed to unload and protect the injured area. He is out for the remainder of the season ... This was the start of a four-game homestand for the Nets, who play Atlanta Monday ... The Cavs host Indiana Sunday ... Cleveland, which shot 36.7 percent from the field, held a 45-33 rebounding advantage ... Miles had 19 points ... The Nets have won four in a row at home over the Cavs.