Nuggets Ride Van Exel in Cooling Off the Nets

Nick Van Exel scored 30 points, including two free throws and a three-point basket in overtime, as the Nuggets dealt the New Jersey Nets their third loss, 99-96, Monday at Denver.

Van Exel, who was 12 of 30 from the field, had missed a three-pointer that would have won the game at the end of regulation. Raef LaFrentz added 25 points as the Nuggets won for the fifth time in their last six games.

Kenyon Martin had 28 points. Jason Kidd had 13 assists, but only five points on two-for-14 shooting. New Jersey suffered its first two-game losing streak of the season.

James Posey, who had 11 rebounds, made a jump shot to start the overtime. The Nets turned the ball over three times and LaFrentz got a dunk off an inbounds pass from Posey before New Jersey scored in overtime.

In addition to Van Exel’s missed three-pointer, Kidd missed an off-balance jump shot in the last 12 seconds of regulation.

Sacramento 113, Rockets 77--One night after a disheartening loss to the NBA-champion Lakers, Rick Adelman got the rebound he wanted from the Kings.

Peja Stojakovic scored 25 points, and Doug Christie had 23 points and seven assists as the Kings remained unbeaten at home.

Sacramento got its fifth convincing win of the season at Arco Arena with a consistent, relentless offensive game. Even more important to Adelman, the Kings showed the proper urgency in rebounding from their 93-85 loss to the Lakers at Staples Center.

“I was just glad our energy level was so high after losing that tough game,” Adelman said. “I was worried that [the Rockets] were going to jump on us early, but from the first four or five minutes, I could see we were really into it.”

Scot Pollard had 12 points and 14 rebounds while starting his 11th game for Chris Webber, whose sprained ankle could keep him out at least two more weeks.

The Kings led by 20 points early in the second half and never were threatened by Houston. Steve Francis led the Rockets with 18 points and six assists.