(Sports Network) - The Brooklyn Nets will try to get back into the winner's
circle on Tuesday night when they welcome the New Orleans Hornets to the
Barclays Center.
The Nets saw a three-game winning streak end on Monday night in Philadelphia
against the 76ers. The 106-97 loss also halted a two-game road winning streak
for the Nets.
"I think they wanted the game a little bit more than us," guard Deron Williams
said.
Williams scored his 10,000th point in the NBA Monday night and led the way for
Brooklyn with 27. When asked what the milestone meant, Williams replied,
"Nothing really. Just another number."
He also handed out 13 assists and grabbed six rebounds.
Joe Johnson added 20 and Brook Lopez chipped in 19 points, but 14 of those
came in the first quarter. Reggie Evans had nine points and game-high 11
rebounds.
The Nets didn't do the job on defense. The Sixers shot 52.6 percent from the
floor, 53 percent from the 3-point line and only committed seven turnovers.
Brooklyn plays its next two at home, then embarks on an eight-game road
odyssey through the United States.
The Hornets snapped a three-game losing streak on Sunday when they knocked off
the Portland Trail Blazers, 98-96 at home. Ryan Anderson's go-ahead 3-point
play with less than two seconds left iced the victory for New Orleans.
"This is a big step for us," said Anderson. "Coming through when we need it
instead of giving up or lowering our heads when they make a big a shot. We
have to just stay confident, anything can happen in this league."
Anderson and Greivis Vasquez paced with the Hornets with 20 points apiece.
Anderson also grabbed 13 boards off the bench. Anthony Davis, the first
overall pick in last summer's draft, chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds,
while Roger Mason, Jr. scored 10 in a reserve role.
Rebounding was a huge factor in the Hornets' victory on Sunday. They buried
the Blazers on the boards to the tune of 48-30, which was the largest positive
rebounding margin of the season for New Orleans.
The Hornets have dropped three in a row on the road and begin a three-game
road trip starting on Tuesday. After a stop in Brooklyn, the Hornets visit
Washington and Minnesota.
The Nets won this season's only matchup with New Orleans, a 101-97 victory in
the Big Easy on Feb. 26. The Hornets have won four of their last six as the
visitor in this series.
The Sports Network