NBA

Deron Williams propels Nets past pesky Bobcats

The Nets squared off with the Bobcats in Brooklyn Wednesday night, and found themselves with a fight on their hands.

Despite being in control for most of the game, the Nets couldn’t break the game open. And, after Charlotte hung around through the first three quarters, the Bobcats took a three-point lead midway through the fourth, and appeared primed to steal a game.

But that’s when Deron Williams decided that wasn’t going to happen. Williams scored the next seven points to give the Nets back the lead for good, and wound up with 25 points and eight assists to lead Brooklyn to a 104-99 win over the Bobcats in front of 17,222.

“I was just out there playing,” Williams said. “I just kind of took what the defense gave me. They made their run, and we needed to make one back.

“I happened to be a big part of that, but it could’ve been any of us.”

The Nets (35-31) moved into sole possession of fifth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of the idle Wizards, and also remained 2 ¹/₂ games behind the Atlantic Division leading Raptors in third and two games behind the Bulls in fourth. The Nets also pushed their home winning streak to 10 games.

It wasn’t easy, though, as the pesky Bobcats (33-36) who, behind 18 points and 12 rebounds from Al Jefferson, stayed in the game despite the Nets dictating the action, as exhibited by their 35 trips to the foul line.

They also forced 15 Bobcats turnovers that led to 21 points, including five costly ones in the fourth quarter.

“The turnovers were the biggest difference in the game,” Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. “If we’re going to turn the ball over 15 times, it’s going to be hard for us to beat anybody.”

It looked as if the Bobcats might be able to win anyway, when an and-one dunk from Josh McRoberts gave Charlotte an 85-82 lead with 6:12 remaining. But that’s when Williams took over, driving to the basket for a layup and then knocking down a 3-pointer on the next possession that gave the Nets the lead for good at 87-85.

Williams followed that up by stealing the ball from Walker while he was dribbling it on the wing, leading to Walker fouling him to prevent a fast break and giving Williams a pair of free throws to make the score 89-85 with 5:22 left.

“That’s the Deron we’re used to seeing,” said Andray Blatche, who had 13 points and five rebounds off the bench. “His confidence is high. He’s playing great and he’s carrying this team.”

Then, after Joe Johnson and Paul Pierce combined to score the next nine points to keep the Nets in front, Williams put his final stamp on the game. After Walker — who struggled, finishing with seven points, seven assists and four turnovers — missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with a minute remaining, Williams found himself isolated at the top of the key against Walker as the shot clock wound down.

Williams calmly rose up and buried an 18-foot jumper over Walker to give the Nets a 100-95 lead with 37.8 seconds left. Brooklyn knocked down enough free throws over the final 30 seconds to ensure the win.

“Deron took control of the game, and made plays on both ends,” Nets coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought he did a great job tonight.”

It has been a long season for Williams, who for a second straight season has endured ankle issues that limited him over the first few months, leading to him getting a round of platelet rich plasma treatment and cortisone shots in both ankles for the second straight year in mid-January.

But, like last year, Williams is back to playing at an elite level after the All-Star break, giving himself and the Nets reason to believe they can make some noise once the playoffs begin next month.

“I think confidence is getting back, and that’s a good thing for me,” Williams said. “I tend to play well when my confidence is high, so I’ve just got to keep it there. Just keep attacking, keep being aggressive. Guys are helping me.

“Paul’s [Pierce] been talking to me about being aggressive every game, so I’ve just got to continue to do that.”