NBA Wrap: Nets notch third straight victory

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NEW YORK -- If only the Brooklyn Nets could get a mulligan on that 2013 part of the 2013-14 season.

They are perfect in the new year, looking more like the team that was the heavy Atlantic Division favorite than the one that was 10-21 through December.

"We're undefeated this year," swingman Alan Anderson said. "So as long as we just keep that rolling, man, we know we've got a couple of tough games ahead of us, but like I said, take it one game at a time, one practice at a time, and keep building."

Joe Johnson snapped out of a slump with 23 points against his former team, and the Nets matched a season high with their third straight victory by beating the Atlanta Hawks 91-86 on Monday night.

Mirza Teletovic scored 16 points and Anderson added 14 starting in place of the injured Deron Williams as the Nets moved to 2-0 on four-game homestand that finishes with visits from Golden State on Wednesday and Miami on Friday.

Despite yet another injury to a key player, the Nets look ready to test themselves against those powerful teams after matching their three consecutive victories from Dec. 7-12.

"We're going to have our hands full, but we've got to come with the same effort that we have since 2014 started," Nets coach Jason Kidd said (see full recap).

Clippers roll over Magic
LOS ANGELES -- Share and share alike. That appears to be the Los Angeles Clippers' mantra now that they'll be facing extended time without All-Star point guard Chris Paul.

Darren Collison scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half and had seven assists in his second start at the point since Paul's injury, leading the Clippers to a 101-81 rout of the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

"You can't replace Chris Paul. He's a great player in this league. I'm just going to play my game and do what I do best," Collison said. "If I go out there and make a mistake, then I make a mistake. But the one thing you can always count on is that I'm always going to play hard and try to help my team. When you're aggressive, then you start to see the openings for your teammates and get them the ball."

Paul, who separated his right shoulder in Friday's win at Dallas and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, sat behind the Clippers' bench in a suit and tie while Collison unselfishly orchestrated things without a hitch against the last-place team in the Southeast Division.

"I think the biggest change D.C. made today was that there were three or four times where he could have shot the ball and instead gave it to one of his teammates," coach Doc Rivers said. "When a point guard gives up shots that he could take, it's almost like the other guys want to pay it back and get it back to him. Blake did it several times tonight, and Jamal did it a couple of times. So that was good to see" (see full recap).

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