WHAT IT MEANS: Who needs Deron Williams? The New Jersey Nets don't. Or at least they didn't on Wednesday night. Despite not having Williams in the lineup, the Nets defeated the Golden State Warriors, 94-90, at the Prudential Center. The victory gave the Nets their first-three game winning streak of the season. They had failed in their previous five opportunities to capture three in a row this year.
TURNING POINT: When 22-year-old center Brook Lopez finally took over. The Nets trailed by one late in the fourth quarter, but Lopez scored the final seven points of regulation, including a running baseline leaner that turned into a three-point play with 1:10 left, giving the Nets a 92-90 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Without Williams in the lineup, others had to step up. Enter Anthony Morrow and Sasha Vujacic. The backcourt tandem combined for 38 points and six 3-pointers in Williams’ absence. Lopez also had a strong outing, going for a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. And Kris Humphries deserves mention for compiling yet another double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Morrow had the key defensive play of the game, contesting Reggie Williams' shot that caromed off the front iron right before Lopez hit two free throws to make it a two-possession game and ice it.
NUMBER CRUNCHING: Jordan Farmar, Sundiata Gaines and Ben Uzoh combined for nine points and 17 assists on 4-for-17 shooting in place of Williams. The Nets got 20 of their points in transition. There were 14 lead changes and nine ties. New Jersey held Golden State's dynamic duo of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry to just 31 points -- or almost 13 below their combined average of 43.6.
UP NEXT: The Blake Griffin show comes to town -- as do the Los Angeles Clippers -- on Friday night. Then, the Nets get the Boston Celtics on Monday evening at the Prudential Center.