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Deron Williams goes off, scores 31 points in three quarters as the Nets beat the Pistons, 119-82

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Nets kicked off game one of their 8-game "circus road trip" and, well, had no intention of dropping this one. After falling to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night, the Nets were able to shake off a terrible fourth quarter performance and quickly turn the page.

Thanks, mostly, to Deron Williams who was in superstar mode tonight, scoring 31 points in just three quarters of basketball, leading the Nets to a 119-82 victory over the Pistons.

Brooklyn came out in this one with some crisp, strong offensive execution. Deron Williams was out there running circles around Jose Calderon, and when he wasn't getting to the rim for an easy bucket or pulling up and draining long jumpers, he was goading the Pistons defense into collapsing, leading to easy buckets for his teammates.

Williams finished the first with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and three assists, and thanks to the fact that the Nets turned the ball over just once in the first -- coupled with Williams' offensive outburst -- they ended the quarter with a 36-23 lead.

In the second quarter, it was all about the bench. With MarShon Brooks, Andray Blatche and, yes, Jerry Stackhouse leading the way. Brooks was the big spark, on both sides of the floor, scoring eight points and blocking two shots in the quarter. Stackhouse, who hadn't played since January 26, scored six points (with one block) in six minutes, in the second.

Greg Monroe gave the Nets fits in the first half, shooting 8-of-8 from the floor, scoring 16 points.

At the half, the Nets, behind their bench, had built up a 59-45 lead.

Brook Lopez took over in the third quarter, scoring eight quick points and giving the Nets a 20-point lead midway through the third. From here, it was simply a matter of playing the remainder of the game out. The Nets had no fourth quarter hangover whatsoever in this one.

Through three quarters, the Nets were up 31, 90-59, and Williams had 31 points in 28 minutes. Game. Over.

Brooks played really well off the bench, scoring 10 points, as Stackhouse had a nice line, finishing with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Blatche had 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists off the bench.

Then, of course, there was Mirza Teletovic, who scored nine points with six rebounds. All around ti was a great win for the Nets and the perfect way to start their road trip.

For more on the Pistons, see: Detroit Bad Boys