The game is played and for the most part won by the players, but this was a night when Nets coach Avery Johnson’s presence was felt.

About 90 minutes before tipoff, the man nicknamed “The Little General,” announced that Terrence Williams wouldn’t be active for two games “for repeatedly violating team policy.” Then once the game started you could see Johnson’s words and actions got to Brook Lopez and Devin Harris.

The two captains, challenged publicly during last week’s 1-3 West Coast trip and privately the last few days, answered their coach’s call and guided the Nets to a 107-101 overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks last night at the Prudential Center.

Lopez, who took plenty of criticism for his play out West, for not finishing strong against the Nuggets and basically since Dwight Howard embarrassed him nearly three weeks ago, played like the big man the Nets have been touting.

He scored the Nets’ first seven points and made his presence felt throughout the game, en route to a season-best 32-point, nine-rebound night.

Harris, who has been more consistent than Lopez but hasn’t carried the Nets enough in close games or down the stretch, did it on both ends of the floor against the Hawks. He scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half and drew a crucial charge on Josh Smith in overtime to preserve the much-needed win.

“They’ve been challenged behind the scenes,” an elated Johnson said after the Nets stopped their three-game losing streak. “We talked to Devin about something before the game that he did in 2007 that I didn’t see enough of. He got back to that look tonight and he responded.

“I’ve been on Brook. He was aggressive. He mixed up his game. He got four offensive rebounds tonight and 10 free throws.

“Two guys that we rely heavily upon came through. Now what I’m showing them is if they can consistently have that aggression and that attacking attitude, it makes us a better ballclub. They don’t have many nights with this team where they can take off.”

It’s amazing the Nets were in so many close games when they weren’t getting big performances from their two big guns. But that’s because of the fight they constantly showed and the big play or shots they were getting from Kris Humphries, Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow and Travis Outlaw.

The Nets got all of it on this night as Humphries had another double-double (12 and 14), Morrow hit some big threes and foul shots in overtime and Farmar made a huge three to beat the 24-second buzzer in the fourth. It was his only make in a game that saw him miss a breakaway layup that could have iced the game in overtime.

But this was about Johnson showing he is holding everyone accountable, that the Little General is running this outfit and running it with much-needed discipline, criticism and honesty.

The two best players haven’t been leading them the way they should, which is why Johnson said during the trip the Nets needed “better leadership from within.” They got it last night.

“He said both Devin and my names,” Lopez said.

“We take the most criticism,” Harris said, “but it’s because we’re important and we know we need to play well in order for the team to be successful.”

It was a safe bet if the Nets were successful it would be because of Johnson’s influence.

He demands much from his players, but also puts them in position to succeed. Harris and Lopez listen to Johnson, take his critiques and compliments to heart and continue to strive to be better.

Williams should listen to Johnson, should follow Harris and Lopez or the second-year swingman could be sent away for good.

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Coach’s Corner

“We always come back and watch the last three minutes of the game or the last minute where we come in with the consolation prize. It will be good to show them some of the things we did to finish first.”

- Avery Johnson on the Nets finally closing out a game, albeit in OT.

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Follow me on Twitter: @Al_Iannazzone

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Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)