Nets 108, Lakers 102: Deron Williams led the way with 30 points, seven assists and a career-high six steals as visiting Brooklyn topped Los Angeles in Jason Collins’ return to the NBA.

Collins became the first openly gay player to appear in any of the four major North American sports when he came off the bench early in the second and went scoreless while grabbing two rebounds and a steal in 11 total minutes for the Nets. Paul Pierce collected 25 points and seven rebounds as Brooklyn snapped an 11-game losing streak in the series.

Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Jodie Meeks added 19 points for the Lakers, who lost for the ninth time in their last 10 home games. Kent Bazemore made his first start for Los Angeles since being acquired at the trade deadline and chipped in a career-high 17 points.

The Lakers trailed by 12 points entering the fourth quarter but chopped the deficit to 89-85 on Nick Young’s layup with 7:35 to play. The Nets responded with an 8-1 run highlighted by a 3-pointer from Pierce and Brooklyn held off a late charge to seal the win.

The Nets set a blistering pace in the first half and ended up going into the break with a 63-47 lead after shooting 57.9 percent in the opening 24 minutes. The lead swelled to 19 points early in the third before Los Angeles crawled within 80-74 late in the period but back-to-back 3-pointers from Mirza Teletovic sent the Nets to the fourth up 86-74.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier in the day and appeared in an NBA game for the first time since last April, when he was with the Washington Wizards. … Brooklyn C Kevin Garnett (rest) and G Shaun Livingston (bruised tailbone) missed the game. … Lakers F/G Nick Young (knee) returned from a six-game absence and scored 10 points in 20 minutes off the bench.