Celtics vs. Nets final score: Nets beat Celtics, 104-96, in Deron Williams' return

If you've paid any attention to the NBA this season, you know things have not gone well for the Nets so far. But with the return of Deron Williams and Paul Pierce, perhaps their fortunes are about to turn.

Brooklyn defeated Boston 104-96 on Tuesday to win their second straight game behind 25 points from Williams (who played 37 minutes) and 24 from Brook Lopez. This marks the first time all season the Nets have won two consecutive games, and they're now 7-14 on the season.

The Nets managed to shoot better than 55 percent from the floor, committed just 13 turnovers and outrebounded the Celtics, 42-35, in the win. But Boston managed to stay alive in the game by hitting 11 of their 22 threes, as opposed to Brooklyn's 3-for-12 performance from beyond the arc.

But it was the Nets' defense that was the story overall, because it's been awful so far this season. On Tuesday, they held Boston to just 43 percent shooting despite the Celtics long-range success.

The Celtics beat the Knicks by 41 points on Sunday, a team that recently crushed the Nets. There's obviously a long way to go, and getting your most important player back on the floor is a big deal, so maybe the fighting Jason Kidd's have turned over a new leaf as the change in the calendar year approaches.

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