57 IS SPECIAL FOR DERON
Deron Williams of the NJ Nets brought something special last night in Charlotte as he single handedly dragged the Nets to an important road win vs the Bobcats. Williams poured in 57 points, 7 assist and 6 rebounds to will the Nets to a much tougher than needed win against the 4-30 Charlotte Bobcats. The game shouldnt have been as close as it was (104-101) but the scrappy Bobcats just wouldnt let Deron’s big night affect them as they tried feverishly to ruin it for him. Williams poured in a Nets record 57 with 10 in the 1st, 7 in the 2nd, 22 in the 3rd and 18 in the 4th. Williams did this with great efficiency as he went 16-29 from the field and 21-21 from the free throw line in 38 minutes and that in itself is “special” and a night he will never forget.
“I’m just happy we got the win,” Williams, who scored 50 points on Nov. 23, 2011 with Besiktas, told the YES Network after the game. “Fifty points is a big deal but if you lose and you have 50, it really doesn’t matter.”
The Nets were down early in the first quarter as usual and fought back late in the half to make it 53-45 at the break. At that point Williams figured he would have to take the game over and ride his hot shooting as Humphries (11pts/13rebs) was the only other Net that ended the game in double figures. This game was far from a picture of beauty as there was a total of 83 FT attempts by both teams and Charlotte went a blistering 37-39 from the line. Corey Maggette led the Bobcats with 24pts and 7rebs as their “season without end” continued to 4-31.
I think this game may have had less people attend than Wilt’s 100 point game in ’62 and you could hear every cheer and jeer loud as day while watching the game on television. It didnt matter to Deron Williams one bit as he went into the post/behind the arc/hit mid range jumper after jumper to make it the highest scoring night of his career.
Only bad news on the night was the Brook Lopez left the game in the 3rd with a “rolled ankle” and left the arena on crutches. Avery Johnson will reveal more on Lopez today.
The Nets next game is at Miami Tuesday night @7:30
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