Last year, it took 18 unsuccessful attempts before the night of December 4, when the Nets finally put a fixed number on their NBA record for season-starting futility.
Avery Johnson’s crew made sure not to have to answer any questions about slow starts this year, as the Nets came from behind in the fourth quarter to knock off the Detroit Pistons 101-98 in Newark.
The Nets trailed by as many as 10 points with less than six minutes to go. Richard Hamilton’s 3-pointer from the corner looked like a potential dagger, as it gave Detroit a 94-87 lead with 1:40 to go. Jordan Farmar got New Jersey’s rally started with a three of his own, followed by a steal that led to a Devin Harris driving three-point play to cut the lead to one. The Nets recaptured the lead when Harris, stymied on a drive to the basket, desperately kicked it out to the top of the key for an Anthony Morrow three to give the Nets a 97-95 lead with 26 seconds to go. Charlie Villanueva tried to answer but missed this 3-point attempt and Rodney Stuckey knocked the long rebound out of bounds while trying to save it.
Brook Lopez led the way with 25 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Harris scored 22 points and dished out nine assists. Morrow added 13 points including 3-of-6 shooting from the outside. Jordan Farmar and Terrence Williams each contributed 10 points off the bench, while rookie Derrick Favors, making his NBA debut, scored eight points and grabbed 10 boards in 20 minutes of action.