Nets 97, Bobcats 81: Brook Lopez erupted for 26 points and 11 rebounds as host Brooklyn trounced woeful Charlotte in P.J. Carlesimo's head coaching debut with the Nets.

Carlesimo, who took over on an interim basis following the firing of Avery Johnson on Thursday, oversaw a Brooklyn attack that racked up 33 first-quarter points and was never seriously threatened as the Nets handed the Bobcats their 17th consecutive defeat. Deron Williams connected on three 3-pointers as part of a 19-point performance while Joe Johnson added 16 points in the rout.

Hakim Warrick had 13 points to pace Charlotte, which hasn't won since Nov. 24. Ramon Sessions (12) and Ben Gordon (10) were the only other Bobcat players to score in double figures.

The Nets needed just 6 1/2 minutes to open up a double-digit lead on the Bobcats, who shot a paltry 36.8 percent in the first half to find themselves behind 56-38 at the break. Brooklyn scored the first 10 points of the third quarter to open up a 28-point advantage, and Lopez reeled off six straight points late - giving him 12 in the quarter - to put the Nets ahead 80-58 entering the fourth.

Both teams emptied the benches over the final 12 minutes, and the Bobcats didn't get closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Bobcats have surrendered 100 or more points in 15 of their 17 losses. ... Charlotte's starters combined to score just 33 points on 9 of 33 from the field. ... Nets SF Gerald Wallace was held scoreless but chipped in five rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block in 24 minutes.