Kidd dominates in Iverson's absence

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jason Kidd had 19 points and 17 assists as the New Jersey Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 102-92 to stretch their home winning streak to 11 games,

Kenyon Martin returned from a two-game suspension and had 18 points, including a huge 3-pointer in the fourth quarter as the Nets beat the defending conference champions for the second time in four days.

Derrick Coleman had 23 points and Eric Snow added 20 for Philadelphia, which was without Allen Iverson (broken hand). In the two earlier meetings with New Jersey, Iverson had 28 and 43 points in easy Philadelphia wins.

HORNETS 93, CAVALIERS 85

At Cleveland, Baron Davis had 20 points and a career-high 17 assists as the Hornets moved into a tie with Philadelphia for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Hornets won for the eighth time in nine games and pulled within a half-game of second-place Milwaukee in the Central Division.

Lee Nailon scored seven points of his 10 points in a 16-4 run that turned a 72-69 deficit into an 85-76 lead.

Ricky Davis scored 22 points to lead Cleveland, which has lost six in a row.

GRIZZLIES 105, WARRIORS 99

At Memphis, Tenn., Pau Gasol had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Jason Williams added 22 points and a career-high 19 assists.

Gasol was 12-of-18 from the field, scoring 20 points in the second half. Williams was 9-of-21 from the field, and his assists were a franchise record.

The Warriors almost erased a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter as Jason Richardson scored nine of his 14 points in the last 5:14. His three-point play with just under a minute left cut the Memphis advantage to 101-99.

But a bucket inside by Gasol and two free throws from Williams with 23.1 seconds left gave Memphis enough of a cushion.

NUGGETS 100, BULLS 84

At Chicago, Juwan Howard scored 23 points, and reserve Zendon Hamilton added a career-high 20.

Reserve Voshon Lenard had 17 points and Calbert Cheaney added 16 for the Nuggets, who had lost 11 of their previous 12 road games.

Jamal Crawford had 16 points and Jalen Rose added 14 to lead the Bulls, who have lost six straight and 16 of 18.

SUNS 90, ROCKETS 88

At Houston, Shawn Marion scored 26 points, including two free throws with five seconds to play. Jake Tsakalidis sealed the win by blocking Cuttino Mobley's layup attempt at the final buzzer.

Houston overcame poor shooting in the first three quarters to make a game of it late. A 16-4 run, led by four points each from Steve Francis, Mobley and Kenny Thomas, gave the Rockets their first lead since the first two minutes of the game -- 81-80 with 4:57 to play.

The Suns then scored six straight before Houston tied it at 88-88 on a follow by Mobley with 45 seconds remaining.

JAZZ 105, CLIPPERS 92

At Los Angeles, John Stockton had 16 points and 14 assists as the Utah Jazz beat the Clippers to move closer to wrapping up the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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