Nets point guard Deron Williams made Brooklyn proud Friday night by sinking nine 3-pointers in the first half of a 95-78 win over the Washington Wizards. Williams broke the record for most threes in one half (eight) that was shared by Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Tim Thomas, Michael Redd and Tracy McGrady. He sank the first eight threes he attempted, and had drilled four of them before the Wizards hit their first shot.
Williams wound up nailing 11 trifectas, and finished his night with a season-high 42 points and five assists. He was 12-of-16 in his scorching first half, and the Nets trounced the Wizards 38-14 in the first quarter, setting the tone for a much-needed laugher in front of their home crowd. The Nets star is a career 36 percent shooter from beyond the arc and is hitting them at a 38 percent clip this season, making his 3-point barrage Saturday all the more unexpected. After the game, Williams said to the media, "I hit the first couple and just they were those shots where when they leave your hand they feel like they're good, and so I just kept shooting them."
Power forward Reggie Evans also had a startling night, posting a double double that consisted of 11 points and career-high 24 rebounds. Evans was more impressed with his teammates shooting, though, than his own performance. "It kind of reminded me of my days when I first got in the league when I played with Ray Allen."
Williams was signed to a max contract this offseason and was expected to be the face of the franchise that would rival the Knicks and steal their spotlight. Instead, he has battled injuries and appears to have lost some explosiveness. He is averaging 17.8 points and 7.5 assists per game, his lowest totals since the 2006-2007 season, his second year in the NBA.
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