Jason Kidd scored 33 points on Thursday as the New Jersey Nets won again under interim coach Lawrence Frank, defeating the Orlando Magic 89-79.
Frank took over earlier this week for the fired Byron Scott. In all, the Nets have won three straight games.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"With any team, your best players have to perform," Frank said. "Jason Kidd is our difference-maker. He's the reason we've been to the NBA Finals two years in a row."
Kenyon Martin had 18 points while Richard Jefferson added 13. Lucious Harris scored all 12 of his points in the final quarter.
Kidd shot 15-for-27 in breaking out of a slump that saw him score 32 points in his previous three games. He also had 10 rebounds for his 24th double-double of the season.
"I like to pass the ball and get guys involved," said Kidd, who had eight assists. "But my teammates and Coach Frank kept calling the same play, and encouraging me to shoot and knock it down. That's pretty much what I did in the first half."
Tracy McGrady, announced as an All-Star starter before the game, scored 22 points for Orlando. Keith Bogans scored 13 and Rod Strickland came off the bench to add 12.
McGrady would have passed Allen Iverson for the NBA scoring lead with a fifth straight 30-point game.
Kings 96, Spurs 91
In San Antonio, Bobby Jackson converted a four-point play with 29.1 seconds remaining to help Sacramento put down a late rally by San Antonio.
Leading 91-87, the Kings ran down the shot clock almost all the way before Mike Bibby found Jackson in the left corner. Jackson hit a fallaway 3-pointer while being fouled by Bruce Bowen, and he made the free throw.
Peja Stojakovic led the Kings with 22 points, while Jackson added 18 and Bibby 17. Jackson made all three of his 3-point attempts in the second half.
Tim Duncan paced San Antonio with 35 points and 18 rebounds, while Tony Parker scored 19.
Trail Blazers 93, Hawks 85
In Atlanta, Rasheed Wallace had 11 of his 20 points during a dominating third quarter, and Zach Randolph finished with 22 to help Portland beat Atlanta.
The Trail Blazers have won four successive games on the road after a 2-16 start away from home.
Damon Stoudamire had 13 assists -- including eight during that third quarter -- and Darius Miles scored 16 points for Portland.
Stephen Jackson led the Hawks with 15 points, and Jason Terry added 14. Atlanta has lost three of its past four games, including the past two at home.
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