BOSTON, April 10 (UPI) -- Deron Williams was one of three Brooklyn players to reach 20 points Wednesday, lifting the Nets to a 101-93 decision over Boston.
Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson combined to score all but 31 of Brooklyn's points in what was the Nets' third straight victory.
Williams had 29, made all of his 10 attempts from the foul line and dealt out 12 assists. Brooklyn has moved to the brink of clinching a home-court edge in the opening round of the playoffs.
Lopez added 21 points and Johnson had 20. Brooklyn went 25-of-28 from the free throw line.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 23 points. The Celtics lost their second in a row and are nearing a seventh-place finish in the Eastern Conference, which would set up a likely first-round playoff meeting with New York.
