Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nets tie Cavs for 8th


New Jersey's Jason Kidd, left, beats Philadelphia's Allen Iverson to a loose ball during the first quarter. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

After a season-long struggle, Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets took control of their playoff destiny heading into the final week of the season.

Kidd posted his 67th career triple-double and the Nets put themselves in prime position to earn a playoff berth with a 104-83 win over Philadelphia on Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J., that prevented the 76ers’ from clinching a postseason spot.

“He had a fire going out there, pushing the ball in transition,” Nets forward Jason Collins said of Kidd, who had 11 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. “It’s our job to keep up with him. He did a great job of setting the tone.”

While Vince Carter had 15 of his 43 points in the first quarter and Brian Scalabrine added 10, Kidd was the catalyst as the Nets won for the 13th time in 17 games.

The win moved New Jersey into a tie with eighth-place Cleveland (40-40), a game behind Philadelphia (41-39) in the race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Each team has two games remaining.

Kidd had seven points, five assists, two rebounds, and forced Allen Iverson into five turnovers in the first 12 minutes as New Jersey jumped to a 38-25 lead.

Forward Richard Jefferson will meet with team doctors and officials this week to discuss the possibility of returning to action, three months after surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his left wrist.

Jefferson, who had surgery Jan. 20, has yet to practice with the Nets. .

Hawks 139, Knicks 135 (OT): At New York, Tyronn Lue scored eight of his 32 points in overtime and Atlanta beat New York to win the NBA’s highest-scoring game this season. Josh Smith scored 19 of his 21 points after halftime, and Josh Childress added 22 points and Boris Diaw had 20 for the Hawks.

Trail Blazers 100, Jazz 82: At Portland, Ore., Ruben Patterson scored 23 points to lead Portland past Utah. Damon Stoudamire had 18 points, 12 assists and made four 3-pointers, giving him a franchise record 180 this season.

Pistons 90, Cavaliers 87: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Detroit overcame LeBron James’ 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to defeat Cleveland and win its 10th straight game.

Celtics 103, Raptors 98: At Toronto, Boston celebrated its first Atlantic Division title in 13 years after Paul Pierce scored 25 points to lead the Celtics past Toronto. It’s the 25th division crown for the Celtics, and it gives them the No. 3 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Jalen Rose had 31 points for the Raptors.

Wizards 106, Bobcats 104: At Washington, Antawn Jamison’s fortuitous layup with 1.3 seconds remaining gave Washington a comeback victory over Charlotte. Larry Hughes had 28 points and four steals, Gilbert Arenas had 27 points and eight rebounds, and Jamison had 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards, who trailed by 11 with 7:14 to play.

Heat 84, Pacers 80: At Miami, Miami ended a four-game losing streak and beat Indiana for the first time in 12 regular-season game, playing most of the game without injured Shaquille O’Neal.

Mavericks 114, Lakers 112: At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and eight rebounds, Michael Finley added 20 points, and Dallas held off Los Angeles for its seventh straight victory and 14th in 16 games since Avery Johnson took over as head coach.

Shaq leaves game with bruised thigh

Heat center Shaquille O’Neal bruised his right thigh shortly before halftime against the Indiana Pacers and missed the rest of the game.

Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said O’Neal is day to day, but cautioned that he wouldn’t play the 12-time All-Star again until he’s physically ready. Miami has two regular-season games remaining.

O’Neal was hurt while defending Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal, who was driving to the basket. As Jermaine O’Neal rose for a layup, his knee slammed into the quad of the Miami center.

Shaquille O’Neal appeared to limp slightly as he walked to the locker room with 43.7 seconds remaining in the first half. He had 11 points and three rebounds in 17 minutes.

Szczerbiak says he would welcome a trade

Minnesota sixth man Wally Szczerbiak wants to start next season and wouldn’t mind being traded if the Timberwolves can’t accommodate him.

Szczerbiak was named a starter out of training camp this season, but voluntarily moved to the bench when the team struggled early.

Frustrated the move did not pay off – the Timberwolves were eliminated from the Western Conference playoff race with a loss to Seattle on Sunday – Szczerbiak said being a starter next season is “a big priority.”