The good news for the New Jersey Nets easily scored more than 100 points without point guard Deron Williams behind a career-high 39 from center Brook Lopez. The bad news is that they ignored Lopez in the final quarter, helping to leave the door open for the Detroit Pistons to drive by the visiting team 116-109 Wednesday night.
After Lopez dropped points 38 and 39 with 9:49 remaining in the game, he went four minutes without even attempting another shot and that was a missed jumper. The center failed to shoot the ball again until the final minute when the game was well in hand. The usually mild-mannered Lopez left the locker room before the media was allowed in after the game.
Jordan Farmar, starting in place of Williams, scored 18 and handed out a game-high 11 assists. Sasha Vujacic chipped in 16 points while Travis Outlaw added 11 off the bench.
Rip Hamilton led the Pistons with 25 points to go with 9 assists while Rodney Stuckey scored 14 of his 22 points in the final quarter. Rookie Greg Monroe had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
With Kris Humphries still sidelined with heel and ankle injuries, the Nets were once again beaten on the glass, this time 42-30.
New Jersey has now dropped 13 of their last 18 games against Detroit and 12 of 14 overall. They will return home Friday night to kick off their final four games of the season when the playoff-bound New York Knicks visit the Prudential Center.