Nets vs. Cavaliers: Harris, Morrow, Humphries Help New Jersey Snap Losing Streak

On a night when the New Jersey Nets were shorthanded, the combination of Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow and Kris Humphries put forth a huge effort, helping their team to a 95-87 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Nets were without starter Troy Murphy and versatile bench player Terrence Williams, but it did not matter as Harris nearly recorded a double-double with 31 points and nine assists on 10-of-23 shooting.

Morrow added 21 points of his own and was very efficient in doing so, hitting 5-of-8 three-point shots and 8-of-12 overall. He also grabbed six rebounds.

While those two took over the scoring load, Humphries was possibly the most valuable player on the court, bringing down 18 rebounds, six of them offensive, and adding in 13 points. He even had two blocks and a steal, and his jumper with 6:37 left in the game gave New Jersey its first lead since early in the first.

On the game, the Nets had a 48-40 rebounding advantage and pulled down 15 offensive boards. The area continues to be a strength for this team.

Led by the effort of Humprhies, the energy and aggressiveness that Avery Johnson has been looking for was on display in this game. The team reached the free throw line 35 times and totaled 21 assists compared to just nine turnovers.

The vast improvement in the turnover department is especially encouraging.

Cleveland had four players with double-digit scoring numbers, but none with more than 15.

J.J. Hickson was the Cavs' leading scorer with those 15 as he continues to develop into a very good pro.

Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions each had 14 of their own.

Notably for New Jersey, Brook Lopez found himself on the bench in crunch time.

Lopez racked up two quick fouls before two minutes had even been played, then got his fourth midway through the third quarter.

He came on late in the final frame, but Johnson was apparently displeased with his young center's defensive effort and took him off the floor, electing to go with Derrick Favors and Humphries.

For the game, Lopez played just 19 minutes, scoring four points.

Favors went 2-for-10, but pulled down seven rebounds and blocked two shots. He is already a solid defensive player who knows where to be on the floor and it is apparent that once his offensive game develops he will be quite a force.

The Nets also got a nice game from Jordan Farmar off the bench. He scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists.

This was a really good win for a team that desperately needed one.

It was New Jersey's first road win of the season and snapped a five game losing streak, coming before a game against Orlando this weekend.

The win also demonstrated that the team does, in fact, have some mental toughness.

After going down 11 in the first quarter, the Nets could have folded. However, they would not allow Cleveland to go on a run that would effectively end the game, chipping away and finally grabbing the lead in the fourth quarter.

After shooting just 37 percent in the first half, New Jersey went 17-of-37 over the final 24 minutes to finish at 46 percent.

They also limited Cleveland to 37 percent shooting in the second half as they ratcheted up their defensive intensity.

New Jersey will get two days to rest before they host the Magic on Saturday, when they will look to improve upon the 105-90 loss Orlando handed them last Friday.