The New Jersey Nets put an end to their three-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 103-101 overtime victory over the New Orleans Hornets. The home team sent the visitors to their fourth straight loss.
Sasha Vujacic powered the Nets with 25 points off the bench. Brook Lopez added 20 while Anthony Morrow had 15 including nine from beyond the arc.
The Hornets were led by David West's game-high 32 points and 15 rebounds. Willie Green scored 19, putting New Orleans ahead with a tie-breaking three in the final two minutes.
New Jersey is now back to .500 at the Prudential Center (13-13), but they didn't make it easy on themselves. The Nets held a two point lead with three minutes to go before the Hornets reeled off seven straight points. The home team came back thanks to a three from Jordan Farmar and a slam from Kris Humphries. The Hornets had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but David West's jumper was short.
In overtime, Lopez scored the deciding points on two free throws with 46 seconds left on the clock. After a turnover by Chris Paul, the Nets gave the ball right back thanks to a five-second violation. New Orleans answered with a missed jumper from Green only to have Humphries miss two free throws and give the Hornets yet another chance. That's when Paul got a wide-open look at a three at the buzzer. The ball was halfway down, but rimmed out, giving the Nets the victory.
New Jersey returns to action Friday night when the Nets travel to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats.