Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Courtney Lee paced New Jersey with 21 points, as the lowly Nets upended Charlotte for the second time this season in a 103-94 final for their first road win in over two months.
Lee Scores 21 To Lead Nets To Rare Victory
Devin Harris had 17 points and nine assists, while Brook Lopez contributed with 16 points.
The win was only New Jersey’s fifth of the season. One of those was a December 4 home victory against Charlotte that snapped a season-opening 18-game losing streak.
The Nets had lost eight in a row coming in with Tuesday’s triumph serving as the club’s second over the last 21 games overall.
"I think we just match up well," said Harris of beating the Bobcats twice this season. "We've been struggling with that fourth quarter, today we made shots and got the buckets that we needed."
The Nets shot 51.9 percent from the floor to secure their first road win since December 8 and second all season. The beleaguered club also received a 13- point effort from Kris Humphries as well as a dozen from Jarvis Hayes.
Gerald Wallace had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats, who still hold an impressive 19-7 mark at Time Warner Cable Arena this season where they had won 10 of 12 coming in.
"It was pretty bad, transition defense was bad, halfcourt defense was bad, we didn't get any loose balls --- it looked like we were the team that's been struggling and they looked liked the team that's trying to make the playoffs," said Bobcats coach Larry Brown.
Boris Diaw scored 19 and secured 11 boards, while Raymond Felton checked in with 18 points.
The Nets held a slim 31-27 edge after the opening quarter and were out a more healthy eight-point lead, 52-44, in the second following a layup by Lee with 2:23 left on the clock. Charlotte ripped off the final eight points before halftime to even the score.
The visitors surged back in front after the break and led 67-59 following a three-pointer from Hayes nearing five minutes in. New Jersey held firm to take an 82-73 advantage into the final frame.
New Jersey saw its lead grow to 13 early in the fourth on a Humphries slam, but the Bobcats scored the next nine points drawing to within 88-84 on a Diaw three with 6 1/2 minutes remaining.
Terrence Williams and Josh Boone both got buckets to fall in response and the visitors were able to stay in front down the stretch. Wallace sank two free throws with 1:45 to go, but Hayes came back with a three to essentially seal the game.
Humphries and Boone both collected a team-best eight rebounds...Charlotte's Stephen Jackson was 7-of-20 from the field for 15 points in the loss...The Bobcats collectively shot 42 percent from the floor.
See More:
