Playing without stars Deron Williams (calf) and Brook Lopez (ankle) the New Jersey Nets gave the Houston Rockets a run for their money Saturday night at the Prudential Center in East Rutherford, N.J. In the end, however, the Nets fell short, losing to Houston, 112-106, in NBA action.

A Shelden Williams layup gave New Jersey a 106-105 lead with 2:07 to play, but the Nets never scored again. New Jersey is 14-28 on the season, while Houston is 22-19.

"Our guys really played hard," said Nets coach Avery Johnson. "To get six guys in double figures and shoot 53 percent from the field, that’s good. It’s just that our defense wasn’t very good."

New Jersey got a career-high 26 points from Gerald Green and 23 from rookie Marshon Brooks in the loss. Green, on his second 10-day contract, had a spectacular windmill dunk off an alley-oop to highlight his night.

(via NBA)

The Nets are back in action Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

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