The win was the eighth in 11 games for the Nets (37-39), and it moved them within a game of idle Philadelphia (37-37) in the race for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
New Jersey has six games remaining, two less than the 76ers.
The loss pushed the Knicks (29-45) to the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention. A win by Philadelphia win or a loss by the Knicks will end the misery for the team.
Vince Carter added 32 points for the Nets, whose 27-point third-quarter lead dwindled to 95-89 midway through the fourth quarter.
"We talk about playoffs but we have to play like it," Carter said. "It's got to come from your Captain. J [Jason] really started it for us."
Stephon Marbury led New York, scoring 21 of his 30 points in the second half. Jamal Crawford added 26.
Mavericks 104, Spurs 68
In Dallas, Keith Van Horn scored 10 of his 17 points during the game-breaking third quarter and the Mavericks avoided a season sweep by the Tim Duncan-less Spurs, San Antonio's most lopsided loss since falling to Seattle by 38 in the 2001 finale.
It also was the Mavs' biggest victory margin over the Spurs, topping a 32-point win in January 1989.
San Antonio, which has lost six straight road games since their two-time MVP was injured, never had a chance in this one. The Spurs never led and only had it tied at 2. They scored just 27 points over the middle two quarters, shooting just 2-for-17 in the third period. They finished 0-for-12 on 3-pointers, the first time all season they failed to hit one.
Brent Barry led San Antonio with 12 points.
Rockets 114, Lakers 100
Tracy McGrady had 27 points and seven assists, and Houston beat slumping Los Angeles with Phil Jackson in attendance.
The Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak and handed Los Angeles its fifth straight loss, and 13th in 14 games. The Lakers (33-42) are assured of their first losing record since they went 33-49 in the 1993-1994 season. This year and that season are the only times they've failed to qualify for the playoffs since 1976.
Jackson watched the game from owner Jerry Buss' luxury suite. Jackson hadn't seen the Lakers play in person since last June, when he coached them in the NBA Finals. Shortly thereafter, the decision was made that he wouldn't return this season.
Caron Butler had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant returned after sitting out one game with a bruised right shin, had his fifth triple-double of the season with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
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