+1
See NetsDaily for complete discussion and analysis.
The New Jersey Nets will look to end a four game losing streak and pick up their first victory since acquiring PG Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz when they take on the Houston Rockets Saturday night at the Toyota Center.
In his first game with the team Friday night, Williams recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 assists as the Nets hung with the San Antonio Spurs for the first half. However, a 35-18 third quarter helped the Spurs put the game away and add to their league-best record.
The Rockets have won two straight and six of their last nine, including a 1240119 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger led the Rockets with 30 points, while Luis Scola and former-Net Courtney Lee each added 16.
Along with Lee, the Nets should see another familiar face in Terrence Williams who has yet to contribute much to the Rockets.
Like New Jersey, Houston was active on the trade market this week. They traded both Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks in separate deals and brought back Hasheem Thabeet and Goran Dragic.
Once they leave Houston, the Nets head back to Newark for one game against the Phoenix Suns before making the long trip to London to take on the Toronto Raptors twice.
Rockets 123, Nets 108: Troubles Continue Away From Newark
The New Jersey Nets are showing new PG Deron Williams just why they have only won 17 games on the season. They dropped their second straight since acquiring the All-Star, this time a 123-108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. The Nets are now just 4-27 away from the Prudential Center this season.
The biggest issues for Avery Johnson's squad was trying to keep up with the league's third-best offense. It worked early on, as the road team was only down four after the first quarter, but the Rockets started to break away in the second quarter and took a 13 point lead into the half. Houston put the game away in the third, though the Nets cut the lead to 15 in garbage time.
Brook Lopez led the way for New Jersey in defeat with 21 points, seven rebounds and a game-high three blocks. Rookie Ben Uzoh had a career-high 18 in just 22 minutes of action while Williams had his second straight double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Uzoh's playing time was due to an ankle injury to backup PG Jordan Farmar in the final minute of the first quarter when he came down on a Houston player's ankle. X-rays on Farmar's ankle came back negative, though there's no immediate timetable on his return.
The Rockets leading scorer was Kevin Martin with 30, but it was Chase Budinger that had an answer for the Nets defense all season long. The second-year forward from Arizona took advantage of getting the start in place of the traded Shane Battier with 27 points, including three-of-four from beyond the arc and a handful of impressive dunks.
Johnson knows his team isn't going to be able to win many more games this season if they keep letting teams score at will.
"Our defense has taken a significant step back for obvious reasons," the head coach said in reference to the new starting lineup's search for chemistry.
"We know we're a work in progress."
Up next for New Jersey is a welcomed return home Monday night against the Phoenix Suns before they travel to London for two games against the Toronto Raptors.
Complete Coverage >
Feb 26 11:26p by Ryan Jones - 0 comments