NBA News: Brooklyn Nets Debut at Barlcays Center is Magical as Team Tops Wizards

As of Monday night, a new era in Brooklyn sports began-the home court debut of the Brooklyn Nets.

And Brooklyn's new team did not disappoint, with stars Deron Williams and Brooke Lopez highlighting a 98-88 Nets victory over the Washington Wizards (1-3) in the first basketball game for the Nets (2-0) at the newly-built, $1 billion Barclays Center.

While only a preseason game, the contest Monday had enough of a big game feel for Nets coach Avery Johnson to send the Nets' expensive superstar Williams back onto the court with only around 3 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

"I just thought it was important," Johnson explained, according to ESPN via the Associated Press after the game. "I thought it was nice that our fans would go home with a good feeling about our team."

While Wizards guard Martell Webster had a solid night with 18 points and 4 rebounds, it wasn't enough to counter Nets forward Andray Blatche's 16 point, 8 rebound night and Lopez's double-double showing of 18 points and 11 rebounds.

At least 14,219 fans were on hand to witness the debut of the first sports team to be a part of Brooklyn since Walter O' Malley packed up the beloved Dodgers baseball franchise and headed west to Los Angeles in 1957, the Press reported.

In one heated moment, Williams, who signed a $98 million, five-year deal to stay in Brooklyn this past summer, wasted no time marking his new territory when he jawed with Wizards backup point guard A.J. Price after Price fouled him with 56.5 seconds remaining.

Williams told the Press that Price, a native of Long Island, kept telling the Nets star that he was home.

"It's my home now," Williams said of his reply. "I told him that."

Video footage of the game can be seen here.

Around the League; NBA Preseason Wrap-up

At the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes had an impressive showing with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists as the Sixers (2-1 in the preseason) cruised to a 32-point 107-75 blowout of the visiting Boston Celtics (1-3 win-loss). Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 16 points while posting 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

In Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Omri Casspi scored seven of his 12 points in overtime as the Cavs (3-2) took a 114-111 thriller over the Orlando Magic (0-3) at the Quicken Loans Center. Cleveland star guard Kyrie Irving, who won last year's Rookie of the Year, led with way for the Cavs with 22 points, 3 assists and 2 steals while the Magic's Glen "Big Baby" Davis was the top player for his team-still winless in preseason play-with 27 points and 8 rebounds.

In Dallas, Texas, Houston Rockets star guard Jeremy Lin-on his day off-did not play, but Mavericks forward Jae Crowder put on a show with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals as the Mavericks (2-1) took down the Rockets 123-104, with Houston (2-2) dropping their second straight game. Rockets guard Kevin Martin was the top scorer for Houston with 23 points.

In Denver, Colo., forward Danilo Gallinari had another strong performance as the Denver Nuggets (3-0) pulled away late in the game to beat the Golden State Warriors (3-1) 104-98 at the Pepsi Center to stay undefeated in preseason play. Gallinari's 18 points, 6 rebounds and a block countered Warriors guard Klay Thompson's 21 points and 6 rebounds. Denver guard Stephen Curry led all scorers with 25 points.

At the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, Calif., the Sacramento Kings (2-0) were powered by guard Marcus Thorton's four three-pointers in the final quarter and 20 points by DeMarcus Cousins as they beat the Portland Trail Blazers (1-2) 117-100. Rookie guard prospect Damian Lillard turned in 20 points and 3 assists for the Blazers.

For more scores and game recaps, visit the NBA's official web site, or for highlights of each game, visit ESPN's online web site.