Nene has strong debut, leading Wizards over Nets

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Washington Wizards’ Nene, of Brazil, goes up for a shot against the New Jersey Nets in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 21, 2012, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

(AP) Nene had 22 points and 10 rebounds in his Washington debut, and the Wizards defeated New Jersey 108-89 Wednesday night in a game marred by the third-quarter ejections of Nets’ All-Star point guard Deron Williams and head coach Avery Johnson.

Williams and Johnson were tossed by referee Josh Tiven with 5:18 left in the quarter for arguing a non-call on a Williams’ drive to the basket seconds earlier. Tiven appeared to call all four technical fouls, getting Williams first and then the coach after his best player was ejected.

Jordan Crawford added 23 points and John Wall had 12 points and eight assists for Washington.

Williams had 17 for the Nets, who have lost four in a row. Kris Humphries added 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Nene, acquired in a three-team trade involving the Wizards, Clippers and Nuggets, hit 9 of 13 shots to come within three points of his season high.

New Jersey, which trailed most of the game, was in contention before the ejections.

Trailing 68-64, Williams drove down the lane and lost the ball when he appeared to be hit with 5:23 to go. The play led to a fastbreak and Williams fouled Trevor Booker.

Before the foul shots were taken, Williams complained to veteran official Leon Wood, who walked away. Williams then went to the bench and apparently had things to say to Tiven, who tossed him.

After Booker made his free throws, Crawford hit two more because of the technicals, pushing the lead to 74-64. Johnson then got tossed and Crawford added two more free throws for a 12-point lead that was never threatened.

Roger Mason Jr. added 16 points, hitting four 3-pointers, including two late that turned the game into a laugher, snapping a two-game losing streak for the Wizards and giving them only their second win in seven games.

Gerald Wallace and Anthony Morrow also had 13 points for Jersey.

NOTES: Williams gave a classic look of disgust midway through the first quarter when it seemed more than a couple of players ran the wrong play. Morrow hit a jumper on the possession. ... Johnson was all over official Leon Wood after the Wizards weren’t called for two 8-second violations in the first half. ... Nets backup PG Jordan Farmar missed his fourth straight game with a groin injury. ... Wizards F Andray Blatche, who has struggled since returning from a calf injury last month, remained in Washington to work on his conditioning. ... Johnson, who is friends with Saints coach Sean Peyton, thought the NFL’s season-long suspension of the New Orleans’ coach for a bounty system on defense was excessive.