The Brooklyn Nets have been on the road for so long, someone asked coach Lionel Hollins if he remembered where home was.
"I don't have to remember," Hollins joked.
"Somebody's gonna take me there."
The Nets headed home happy on Saturday night as Deron Williams scored 12 of his 25 points in the decisive third quarter of a 104-94 victory over hosts Dallas Mavericks, the finale of an eight-game road trip.
Thaddeus Young scored 16 points and Joe Johnson added 15 for the Nets, who have not played a home game since February 2.
Brooklyn had to vacate Barclays Center for three games in preparation for All-Star Weekend, then resumed after the All-Star break with a five-game trip, going 3-5 overall.
"Sometimes, the last game of the road trip is the hardest," said Williams, who made 9-of-14 shots.
"We've been out for a month now, pretty much. I'm just glad we got it. We bounced back from last night, which was more important."
The Nets were coming off Friday's 102-98 loss at Houston where they squandered an eight-point lead in the final four minutes.
This one was following a similar script as Brooklyn saw a 12-point lead cut to 97-92 on a three-point play by German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 20 points.
But Young made a hook shot, Mavs guard Monta Ellis threw away a pass and missed a layup and Jarrett Jack sank a floater for a 101-92 advantage with less than a minute to go.
Brooklyn play their next five games at home, where they are 10-15.
In other games Atlanta edged Miami Heat 93-91 as Paul Millsap scored 22 points and Germany's Dennis Schroder added 16 and 10 assists for the visiting Hawks won their fourth straight.
Hassan Whiteside had 14 points and 24 rebounds for the Heat.
It was another close one in Minnesota with the Memphis Grizzlies beating the Timberwolves 101-97 with Spain's Marc Gasol scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Conley snapping the tie with a three-pointer with 30 seconds left for the visitors.
San Antonio smashed the Phoenix Suns 101-74 on the road with the Australian connection of Aron Baynes (12 points with ten rebounds) and Patty Mills (nine points) solid contributors.
In other fixtures Washington Wizards survived a Detroit Pistons comeback to win 99-95; New York Knicks made it two on the trot by Toronto Raptors 103-98; and Utah Jazz had too much in the tank for Milwaukee Bucks, 82-75.
Share
