PHILADELPHIA -- Deron Williams couldn’t carry the Brooklyn Nets over the free-falling Philadelphia 76ers.
Williams had 27 points, 12 assists and 6 rebounds, but the Nets allowed the Sixers to shoot 52.6 percent from the field and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end with a 106-97 loss at Wachovia Center.
The Nets (37-27) are 21-4 against sub-.500 teams (at time of game played). The Sixers (24-39) came in having lost 12 of their last 13 games.
Williams reached the 10,000-point club in the fourth quarter. He had 14 points in the third, and recorded his 15th double-double of the season.
Spencer Hawes destroyed the Nets on the interior, amassing 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Brook Lopez had 19 points and six rebounds for the Nets, while Joe Johnson added 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
CLOSING THE GAP: The Nets trailed by as many as 14 in the third quarter, but closed the period on a 7-0 run to make it 82-75 Sixers going into the fourth.
SECOND IS THE WORST: The Nets were outscored 29-18 in the second quarter as the Sixers took a 53-46 lead to the break. Philadelphia shot 63.2 percent in the period.
HOT STARTS: Lopez had 14 first-quarter points on 7-for-9 shooting, while D-Will stuffed the stat sheet in the opening 12 minutes to the tune of seven assists and four rebounds.
TIGHT 10: Interim coach P.J. Carlesimo did play 10 players instead of nine -- albeit briefly, when he gave MarShon Brooks two minutes late in the second quarter. Gerald Wallace, who continues to struggle offensively, going 2-for-8 from the field, was benched for the entire fourth.
WELL-TRAVELED: Several Nets season-tickets holders made the trip down 95 to watch their favorite team in Philly. “Brook-lyn!” chants were heard loud and clear throughout the first half.
UP NEXT: Nets vs. Hornets on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.