Nets 100, Knicks 92
NETS 100, KNICKS 92: Deron Williams stole the spotlight from Jeremy Lin, burying a career-high eight 3-pointers and scoring a season-high 38 points as visiting New Jersey spoiled the return of Carmelo Anthony.
Rookie MarShon Brooks added 18 points and Kris Humphries had 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Nets halted a five-game losing streak against the Knicks and beat New York for only the second time in nine games.
Lin had a team-high 21 points with nine assists and seven rebounds as the Knicks fell to 7-2 since he took over as the starting point guard.
Anthony struggled in his return from a seven-game absence because of a groin injury, scoring 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
The night, though, belonged to Williams. He scored 18 points in staking the Nets to a 50-42 halftime lead and matched that total with an 18-point eruption in the third quarter.
During one scintillating stretch, Williams scored 10 points in a 47-second span to fuel a 13-1 run as New Jersey built its biggest lead at 78-59 and carried an 82-64 lead into the final 12 minutes.
New York cut the deficit to eight points midway through the fourth but a three-point play by Humphries and jumper by Brooks pushed the lead back to 15.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Williams and Brooks each converted four-point plays, giving New Jersey a league-leading eight for the season. ... Nets center Brook Lopez sat out after making his season debut Sunday against Milwaukee. He will play against Orlando on Wednesday. ... Knicks point guard Baron Davis made his debut with the Knicks and had three points with one assist in just under 10 minutes. He has been sidelined the entire season with a herniated disk in his back. Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert missed the game because of in injury. He is day-to-day.