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Behind Deron Williams' 28 points, Nets outshine Suns with 108-95 victory in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets were up against the Phoenix Suns Monday night on St.Patrick's day, as the Nets looked to grab some luck of their own and pick themselves up after a rough loss in Washington.

By Anthony Puccio

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Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Nets Post Game Plus (Video)The Nets are coming off a very disappointing road loss to the Washington Wizards. The game was a battle for the fifth seed, one that looked to be in the Nets control heading into the fourth quarter. But, behind lack of offensive execution in the last six minutes of the game, the Nets couldn't hold on.

Monday night, the Nets were back home where they welcomed the Phoenix Suns to Brooklyn. In the previous matchup between the two teams, the Nets won an exhilarating game, off a Joe Johnson game-winning layup. If the Nets expect to increase their seed in the Eastern Conference, these remaining games are crucial.

The Nets were yet again without Kevin Garnett due to back spasms. Jason Kidd announced he will miss the next three games.

Behind a 28 point outburst from Deron Williams, the Nets cruised to a big 108-95 victory over the Suns in Brooklyn. The win makes the Nets 16-2 since December 26th, while winning their ninth straight at home.

The Nets certainly didn't pick up the awful fourth quarter from Saturday night. Instead, they got off to a quick start in the early stages of this game. Their aggressive defense led to easy points on the offensive side of the ball.

Behind a robust 70% shooting quarter for Brooklyn, they had a solid 30-20 lead after the first quarter. They grabbed five steals, which led to nine fast break points. The epitome how they have been playing of late. Paul Pierce and Deron Williams scored seven apiece, while Shaun Livingston chipped in a quick six points.

Jorge Gutierrez, who was just recently signed to a second 10-day contract, got some quality time, logging a little under five minutes in the first quarter.

The second quarter started off with the same, consistent pace as the first quarter. It looked to be that way anyway, when finally the Suns cut their deficit down to six after an emphatic Gerald Green dunk, a familiar face for many New Jersey Nets fans. The crowd was stunned, and it looked like the Suns gained all the momentum.

But, from that point on, the Nets answered with an 8-0 run of their own, while owning a 32-29 second quarter scoring advantage. The Nets scored a solid 62 points, leading the Suns, 62-49. The team shot a combined 68% (27-40) from the field in the first half.

Deron Williams and Gerald Green led all scorers with 15 points each.

Quick first half stat: The Nets tallied a combined eight steals, while the Suns had six steals of their own. Along with that, the Nets scored 48 points in the paint. Their highest in a full game this season: 58.

It took the Nets just three minutes to find their biggest lead of the night. They were up 20 after seven straight points from Joe Johnson, and an overall 9-2 run to start the second half. It looked like the Nets were headed to yet another victory at home.

The Suns came sprinting back in this game, as they kept chipping away and eventually went on a 14-3 run, cutting their deficit down to just nine with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

That didn't last very long either.

After a timeout from Jason Kidd, the Nets went on a 14-0 run of their own, leading the Suns 90-67. The 23 point lead was the Nets' biggest of the night. They owned a 90-72 lead heading into the fourth quarter, behind Joe Johnson's team high 19 points. All Nets' starters were in double figures.

Mirza Teletovic, whose been a key role player off the bench for Brooklyn, didn't get any time through the first three quarters of play.

Once again, the Suns cut the deficit down to 12, just to see Deron Williams hit two consecutive shots lead to a comfortable 17 point lead for the Nets. With 6:32 remaining in the game, Nets fans finally got what they've been asking for all season: a Deron Williams dunk. The first of the year.

From that moment on, the Nets were prepared to win their ninth straight home victory, while improving their home record to 16-2 since December 26th. The team shot an astounding 59% from the field, their best of the season. They also grabbed 12 steals.

Deron Williams led all scorers with 28 points on a very efficient, 11-13 shooting. Despite not playing at all in the fourth quarter, Joe Johnson chipped in 19 points, along with Mason Plumlee scoring 14 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

Final score: Nets 108, Suns 95.

The Nets improve their record to 34-31, and fall just 0.5 game out of fifth place in the Eastern Conference. With the way they're playing at home, Brooklyn is certainly not a destination teams will be looking forward to playing, come playoff time.

The Nets look for their tenth straight home victory this Wednesday, where they welcome the Charlotte Bobcats to Brooklyn.

For more on the Phoenix Suns, check them out at Bright Side Of The Sun.

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