Brooklyn, NY (Sports Network) - The Brooklyn Nets are enjoying the new state-
of-the-art Barclay's Center.
Joe Johnson netted 21 points, while Deron Williams tallied 15 points and 12
assists in the Brooklyn Nets' 98-85 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Brook Lopez added 15 points and eight rebounds and Kris Humphries chipped in
14 points and 10 boards for Brooklyn, which has won six of its first seven
home games.
The Nets went just 9-24 at home a year ago.
"You can't really compare this team to other years. It's a totally different
team," Humphries said. "I think we played well in the fourth quarter and we
just kept getting stops."
Wesley Matthews recorded 20 points and J.J. Hickson had 14 points and 10
rebounds for the Blazers, who opened a lengthy seven-game road trip.
"They've got four All-Stars on the court and they know how to play," Portland
coach Terry Stotts said of the Nets.
A pair of Jared Jeffries free throws with 9:50 left in the fourth tied the
game at 74-74, but the Nets responded with an 9-0 spurt to seize control of
the contest.
C.J. Watson hit a 3-pointer, Evans sunk two free throws, Lopez had a dunk and
Johnson's floater capped the run and made it 83-74 midway through the frame.
The margin swelled to as many as 14 down the stretch.
Portland led, 27-25, after a quarter of play and 50-46 at the break.
Williams poured in nine points in the third as the Nets knotted the game at
70-70 heading into the final frame.
Game Notes
Johnson had 17 points in the first half ... Portland had won 13 of its
previous 17 games against Brooklyn coming in ... The Nets outrebounded the
Blazers, 61-45.
The Sports Network