Nets Fall To Warriors For Third Straight Loss

David Lee scored 30 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, as the Golden State Warriors earned a hard-fought road victory on Friday night over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center, 109-102.

While Lee was a force inside, the Warriors received a major perimeter boost from guard Stephen Curry, who scored 21 points in the second half and finished with 28. Curry hit five of his nine three-point shots, and also had five assists and two steals.

"This was a huge win," said Warriors head coach Mark Jackson. "I'm so proud of my guys. Guys came in off the bench -- Carl Landry, Jarrett Jack, Draymond Green was huge and really gave us a spark. Stephen Curry is really showing the world how good he is. David Lee played a spectacular game."

The Warriors have won both of their games to start their seven-game road trip, while the Nets have lost three games in a row.

Brooklyn received a season-high scoring effort from guard Joe Johnson, who scored 32 points on 12-of-23 shooting. The Nets shot just 42.5 percent from the field, but after the game, head coach Avery Johnson stressed the team's poor defensive effort.

"It's been a problem," said Johnson. "When you see a team with 50 points in the paint, we have to do a better job guarding penetration and our pick-and-roll coverage. We have to get more block shots from our big guys, and then things will turn around. We scored in the first half, but they scored too many points. Our defense got broken down quite a bit, and we need to repair it."

Johnson was also critical of the bench, who he described as not in a good rhythm. The Nets bench converted just five shots on 18 attempts for 13 points.

A meeting with the New York Knicks is looming, as the two clubs meet on Tuesday at Barclays Center. The Knicks have the best record in the East, but another Nets victory over their local rival would help strengthen the credibility for the New York newcomers.

But up next for the Nets is a home game on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks, who improved their record to 9-9 with a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.

Center Brook Lopez is still out with a foot injury, and has yet been cleared to play against Milwaukee.

The Warriors travel to Washington to face the struggling Wizards on Saturday.