Nets rally for ninth straight

Richard Jefferson had 27 points and 10 rebounds as the New Jersey Nets posted their ninth straight win, rallying to beat the Detroit Pistons, 89-78, last night in East Rutherford, N.J.

Jason Kidd added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists as New Jersey overcame a 13-point first-quarter deficit and improved to 8-0 under Lawrence Frank, who replaced Byron Scott more than two weeks ago as the coach of the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions.

Kenyon Martin added 13 points and eight rebounds and Kerry Kittles had 17 points as the Nets posted their ninth straight double-digit win and sent the Pistons to their fourth straight loss.

Lakers 98, Heat 83 -- Shaquille O'Neal had 25 points and Derek Fisher came off the bench to score 8 of his season-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping Los Angeles beat host Miami to post consecutive wins for the first time since mid-January.

O'Neal scored 19 of his points in the second half on 9-for-12 shooting as the Lakers overcame an early 14-point deficit.

Mavericks 105, Knicks 90 -- Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Michael Finley added 25 points and 10 rebounds as surging Dallas snapped visiting New York's season-high five-game winning streak.

Rookie Josh Howard had 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals for the Mavericks, who won for the 13th time in their last 16 games.

Warriors 106, SuperSonics 97 -- Jason Richardson had 22 points, Brian Cardinal added 20, and Golden State rebounded from tying an NBA record with a 2-point quarter two days ago with a victory in Seattle.

Jazz 86, Trail Blazers 81 -- Carlos Arroyo scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, helping visiting Utah hold off shorthanded Portland in the Trail Blazers' first game since trading No. 2 scorer Rasheed Wallace.

Kings 124, Bucks 117 -- Peja Stojakovic scored 31 points and went 4 for 4 at the free throw line in the final 20 seconds, helping Sacramento hold off host Milwaukee.

Timberwolves 96, Clippers 84 -- Kevin Garnett was one rebound short of a double double in the first quarter and finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds in sparking host Minnesota.

Raptors 101, Suns 94 -- Vince Carter scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half and Morris Peterson matched his career high with seven 3-pointers, pacing Toronto at Phoenix.

Pacers 103, Bulls 84 -- Ron Artest warmed up for his first All-Star appearance by scoring 26 points to lead Indiana at Chicago.