NEWARK N.J. – Deron Williams had 19 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 97-87 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday night.
Williams' near triple double would have been the first of the season for the Nets, who improved to 5-12 on the season.
MarShon Brooks added 20 points for the Nets, while Anthony Morrow added 19 points.
Rookie Kemba Walker led the Bobcats with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Gerald Henderson had 15 points while Bismack Biyombo and Derrick Brown had 11 each.
The Nets got off to a strong start. Morrow's 3 early in the second quarter increased the Nets' lead to 38-25.
With less than a minute remaining in the half, he made a 3 to push the advantage to 14 at 56-42.
New Jersey led 58-42 at halftime.
Without the injured Brook Lopez, New Jersey has relied on its perimeter shooting.
The Nets shot 38 of 86 from the field, including 7 of 27 from three.
Charlotte shot 46.8 percent from the field and 35.7 percent on 3-pointers.
Bobcats guard D.J. Augustin played the first quarter before leaving the game because of an inflamed big right toe.
Walker struggled some against the more experienced guards of the Nets. Late in the second quarter, Williams knocked the ball free to start a fast break that ended with a two-handed dunk by Kris Humphries.
Notes: The Bobcats' youth coupled with the abbreviated season has Bobcats coach Paul Silas concerned about how his team will respond to the challenge. "It's tough because you don't have the practice time," Silas said. "Playing as many games as we do, you're not used to it."... Bobcats forward DJ White missed the game with a left knee contusion.