Williams scores 57 points for Nets

Deron Williams scored a franchise-record 57 points to lift the Nets to a 104-101 victory over the Bobcats last night in Charlotte, N.C. Williams, who came into the game averaging 21.7 points, shot 16-for-29 from the field and was 21-for-21 on free throws.

Williams broke the previous Nets mark of 52 points shared by Mike Newlin and Ray Williams. It was the second-most points scored against the Bobcats, one shy of Kobe Bryant's 58 in 2006.

Williams was surprised that the Bobcats opted not to double-team him on pick-and-rolls. It's something he hadn't seen all season. "I'm used to getting double-teamed on those," he said. "It's kind of refreshing not to be."

Bobcats coach Paul Silas wasn't apologizing for his team's approach to defending Williams with one man. "You can do one of two things: You can try to stop him and double him and leave other players wide open or guard everybody," Silas said. "I thought that's mainly what kept us in the game. Nobody else was doing anything [for them]. It gave us a chance."

Willliams had seven assists and six rebounds. Corey Maggette's 24 points led the Bobcats, who have lost 21 of 22.

Bulls 96, 76ers 91: Derrick Rose tied a season high with 35 points and Joakim Noah had 11 points and 18 rebounds to lead visiting Chicago to its sixth straight win.-- AP