Final
  for this game

Williams scores 57 as New Jersey edges Charlotte

Mar 5, 2012 - 6:59 AM Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Deron Williams' 57 points on Sunday marked a career-high, set a Nets single-game record and led New Jersey to a 104-101 win over the Bobcats.

Williams made 16-of-29 shots, went 21-of-21 from the free-throw line and added seven assists and six rebounds for the Nets, who were coming off of Friday's loss at Boston. Kris Humphries chipped in 11 points and 13 rebounds.

"Fifty points is a big deal but if you lose and have 50 it doesn't really matter," said Williams. "I'm just glad we got the win. We needed it after that loss in Boston."

Corey Maggette scored 24 points to pace the Bobcats. They have dropped five in a row and are an NBA-worst 4-31.

Williams did most of his damage after the break, helping the Nets erase a 53-45 halftime deficit with 22 third-quarter points. He made 5-of-9 shots in the quarter, including two three-pointers, hit 10 free throws and staked New Jersey to a 73-72 lead by the end of the frame.

"We did all we could to try and slow him down, but he just had it going on tonight," Bobcats head coach Paul Silas said about Williams.

It was still a one-point game, 86-85, midway through the fourth, when Anthony Morrow made a baseline jumper and Williams hit a 20-footer to make it 90-85.

Later, the Bobcats pulled within two, 96-94, on a D.J. Augustin three-pointer, but Williams countered with a stepback jumper and Shelden Williams followed with a three-point play for a 101-94 advantage.

Maggette's three-pointer with four seconds left made it 103-101, but MarShon Brooks hit 1-of-2 free throws and Augustin's trey was off at the buzzer.

Game Notes

Charlotte led 25-22 after the first quarter...The Nets' previous single-game scoring record was 52 points, shared by Mike Newlin (1979) and Ray Williams (1982)...Deron Williams went 4-of-11 from three-point range...Shelden Williams finished with 10 points.