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Williams returns to Salt Lake City as Nets visit Jazz

Jan 14, 2012 - 5:11 PM (Sports Network) - Coming off of their first home loss of the season, the Utah Jazz look to right the ship when they host former point guard Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets tonight in the finale of a three-game residency.

Drafted with the third overall pick in 2005 by Utah, Williams was traded to New Jersey last season in a deal that sent guard Devin Harris, forward Derrick Favors, two future first-round draft picks and cash considerations to the Jazz. Williams allegedly didn't see eye-to-eye with legendary head coach Jerry Sloan and was dealt before the trade deadline.

Williams, who will face his former team for the first time, is one of the top point guards in the game and is currently averaging 18.5 points and 8.7 assists per game this season.

New Jersey improved to 1-1 on a four-game road trip in Phoenix on Friday thanks to Williams. The All-Star scored 35 points to go along with 14 assists to lead the Nets past the Suns, 110-103.

Rookie MarShon Brooks dropped in 20 points, Anthony Morrow scored 16 and Mehmet Okur had 11 for New Jersey, which won for the second time in five games overall.

"This was a good confidence booster for us. We finished the game very, very well," said Brooks. "It was a good win."

Utah, meanwhile, fell to 5-1 in Salt Lake City with Wednesday's 90-87 overtime loss to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, as the aforementioned star netted 40 points to send the hosts packing. Paul Millsap had 29 points and nine rebounds to pace the Jazz, who had a five-game winning streak halted.

"Great effort. We're coming, we're getting better," Utah head coach Tyrone Corbin said. "(We) played against a good team tonight. They were a little bit better than we were but our effort was great. The guys did a great job of hanging in there. Everybody was a little tired, they were tired also. But I was proud of my guys and they fought the entire game."

Josh Howard scored 18 points in a reserve role and Al Jefferson tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Jazz shot just 38.7 percent from the field and will visit Denver on Sunday before returning home for four straight games versus the Clippers, Mavericks, Timberwolves and Raptors.

In injury news for the Jazz, forward Jeremy Evans (flu) and guard Earl Watson (bruised left knee) are listed as questionable for Saturday.

The Jazz and Nets split a pair of meetings a season ago, as both teams came out on top as the host. Utah has won four of five against New Jersey, which has dropped two straight, six of nine and 13 of its last 17 games in Salt Lake City. Utah is 47-27 all-time against the Nets with a 29-8 record at home.