• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Nets beat Knicks 110-104 to end 10-game home skid

Jan 14, 2016 - 4:26 AM NEW YORK (AP) With Spike Lee barking at referees from a sideline seat and the Knicks wearing their white uniforms, it felt like a game at Madison Square Garden.

The Nets were the ones on their home floor, though, and they left it as winners for the first time in more than a month.

Brook Lopez scored 20 points, Thaddeus Young had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Brooklyn ended its 10-game home losing streak with a 110-104 victory on Wednesday night.

The Nets were energized by a rare sellout crowd this season, even if it appeared decorated with at least as much Knicks blue and orange as Brooklyn black.

''The environment was so much fun out there,'' Lopez said. ''It was just live and if we could get something like that each and every night and we earn that respect and we get people coming to the game, it's something great to feed off of.''

The Nets also stopped a five-game overall skid with their first victory under interim coach Tony Brown, who took over when coach Lionel Hollins was fired and general manager Billy King was reassigned on Sunday.

''Games like this, it's going to help turn our fan base around,'' Brown said. ''If we continue to play in this kind of fashion, we'll fill the seats - but we've got to show them first. It'll take time, but tonight was a good start.''

Joe Johnson made two key jumpers in the final 2 minutes and finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Nets in their first home victory since beating Philadelphia on Dec. 10.

''Hopefully we can build something off of it but yeah, it feels great to get a big win,'' Johnson said.

Derrick Williams tied his career high with 31 points for the Knicks, who played without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony and had their two-game win streak snapped.

The Knicks had a two-point lead with 5 minutes to play before the Nets took control with a 10-2 run that made it 100-94 after the second of Johnson's consecutive baskets. Lopez had the first basket in the run in outplaying twin brother Robin, who finished with nine points and 12 rebounds.

Anthony sprained his right ankle Tuesday in a victory over Boston. Lance Thomas got the start in Anthony's place but it was Williams, the former No. 2 overall selection, who picked up his offense.

Arron Afflalo had 18 points and Jose Calderon 16 for the Knicks, but Kristaps Porzingis shot just 5 for 17 on his way to 12 points and 10 rebounds.

''On nights like this when we don't have (Anthony), I can't have a shooting night like this,'' Porzingis said. ''I've got to step up. I've got to score the ball more.''

The Knicks (20-21) were bidding to reach the halfway point of their schedule with a winning record after winning 17 games last season but couldn't overcome their 65 percent free throw shooting.

TIP-INS

Knicks: The Knicks have lost three in a row in Brooklyn. It's the first time the Nets have defeated the Knicks in three straight home games since winning seven straight from 2001-04. ... Coach Derek Fisher said he hopes Anthony can play Saturday at Memphis.

Nets: Brooklyn shot 9 for 17 from 3-point range (53 percent), its highest this season with a minimum of 10 attempts. ... Bojan Bogdanovic was 4 for 5 on 3s after missing 16 of his previous 18.

BIG GAME SHANE

Shane Larkin, taken out of the starting lineup by Brown in favor of Donald Sloan, had a season-high 17 points against his former team.

''Whenever you play a crosstown rival, from high school to college to the NBA, there's always going to be a little more energy in the building, a little more energy within yourself,'' Larkin said.

JACK UPDATE

Jarrett Jack had ACL reconstruction surgery Wednesday morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The Nets said a full recovery is expected and Jack should be able to participate in full basketball activities for the 2016-17 season. He started all 32 games at point guard before his injury on Jan. 2.

UP NEXT

Knicks: Visit Memphis on Saturday.

Nets: Host Portland on Friday.