Nets end skid with an upset of Bulls

Pounded all season, the New Jersey Nets finally got an easy win. And they did it against one of the league’s best teams.

Deron Williams scored 29 points, Kris Humphries had 24 points and 18 rebounds, and New Jersey beat the Chicago Bulls, 97-85, Saturday to end a losing streak at eight games.

Chicago’s Derrick Rose sat out for a fifth consecutive game because of back pain, and the Nets took advantage, jumping to a 22-3 lead on the way to their first victory since Feb. 1.

“I’m just happy the streak is over,” Williams said. “It’s not fun losing. It’s a great win for us.”

The dominant win wasn’t the only good news for New Jersey. Coach Avery Johnson said center Brook Lopez will start Sunday against Milwaukee after being sidelined all season because of a broken right foot.

With Rose sidelined, Williams had his way against the Bulls. He scored 21 points in the first half and made five three-point baskets overall. He also had eight assists.

Humphries narrowly missed season-highs for points (25) and rebounds (19). MarShon Brooks contributed 19 points.

“It’s been a long time where I’ve seen us perform like that on both ends of the floor early in the game,” Johnson said. “We were contesting shots. Getting after it.”

The Bulls had won seven of eight games. They shot just over 39%, made only three of 13 three-point shots and 16 of 27 free throws.

“We had a bad day,” Luol Deng said. “We’ve got no excuses. We played terrible, but it’s over with.”

Carlos Boozer and journeyman Mike James each scored 16 points, and Deng and Taj Gibson each had 14.

at Memphis 104, Golden State 103: Tony Allen scored on a tip-in with 5.6 seconds left to give the Grizzlies their fourth consecutive victory.

Allen scored after Rudy Gay missed a shot to the right of the lane. Memphis also won on a tip-in off a miss from Gay on Friday night to beat Denver on Dante Cunningham’s tip. The Warriors had one last opportunity after Allen’s tip-in, but David Lee was called for an offensive foul with less than a second to play, sending the Warriors to their third consecutive loss.

Gay led Memphis with 19 points, and O.J. Mayo had 18. Marc Gasol had 17 points and 13 rebounds, Marreese Speights had 16 points, Mike Conley finished with 15 points and six assists, and Allen had 11 points.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points, matching his season high. Monta Ellis finished with 33 points.

San Antonio 103, at Clippers 100 (OT)

—associated press