Deron Williams had 24 points and nine assists in his return from a rib injury, and the New Jersey Nets ended a six-game losing skid with a 97-85 win over the host Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

Williams shot just 6 for 18, but hit 11 of 13 free throws as the Nets won for the first time since the second day of the season.

Toronto trimmed an eight-point halftime deficit to three before the Nets took charge, putting together a 13-3 run - aided by six straight points from Williams - to forge a 75-64 edge entering the fourth.

The Nets kept up the pressure, scoring the first six points of the quarter to open up a 17-point lead. The Raptors wouldn't get within single digits the rest of the way as they saw their two-game winning streak end.

Anthony Morrow also had 24 points for New Jersey, while Kris Humphries added six points and 16 rebounds in his return from a shoulder injury.

Jose Calderon contributed 19 points and eight assists in defeat.

The Nets used dead-eye shooting from beyond the arc to open up a 48-40 halftime lead. Morrow paced the visitors with 14 points - including four 3-pointers - as New Jersey went 9-for-16 from long distance in the opening 24 minutes.