Martin Injured; Kidd Lifts Nets

Jason Kidd picked up his game after Kenyon Martin suffered an ankle injury, and the New Jersey Nets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 84-61, Friday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

Kidd recorded his 51st triple double with 21 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. Richard Jefferson had 26 points in a home opener the Nets hope will be remembered more for limiting Minnesota to a franchise low in points rather than Martin’s injury.

The Nets’ power forward fell awkwardly with 10:05 left in the third quarter when he landed on Latrell Sprewell’s foot after failing to block Sprewell’s shot. Martin soared toward Sprewell and the three-point arc. When he landed, his ankle bent back toward the basket. X-rays of Martin’s ankle were negative.

“Anytime it’s a sprain, it’s a lot better than being broke,” Kidd said. “The depth of our team will be tested early. We’ll see how we fare.”

Kevin Garnett had 23 points to lead the Timberwolves, whose previous team low was 66 against Atlanta in 1997. The Timberwolves, limited to 10 first-quarter points, got within five points at 49-44 when Garnett made a jump shot with 7:12 left in the third quarter.

Kidd then made two free throws, fed Jefferson for a dunk, made one of two free throws after grabbing a rebound and fed Alonzo Mourning for a dunk to push the lead to 56-44. Martin finished with 11 points, and Mourning had 10.

Milwaukee 93, Indiana 79 -- Rookie T.J. Ford had 11 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists at Indianapolis in his NBA debut to help new Coach Terry Porter get his first victory.

Ford, who sat out the season opener against Minnesota because of sore right ankle, barely missed becoming the second NBA player to record a triple-double in his first game, according to Elias Sports Bureau. In 1960, Oscar Robertson had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Toronto 82, Washington 79 -- The Raptors recovered from their lowest-scoring first half in franchise history to improve to 2-0 under new Coach Kevin O’Neill.

The Raptors scored only 27 points in the first half at Toronto, but used a 12-2 run to start the third quarter and a 14-4 run to start the fourth.

Vince Carter, who scored 26 points, had 12 points in the third quarter and made all six of his free throws in the final five minutes.

Chicago 100, Atlanta 94 -- Jason Terry tied the score, at 90-90, by making a three-point shot with 1:47 left at Chicago, but Scottie Pippen took over for the Bulls. Pippen drove hard to the basket to give Chicago a 92-90 lead and then took a charge on the opposite end.

On the Bulls’ next possession, Eddy Curry dunked over Theo Ratliff to give them a 94-90 lead with 1:04 left. Curry scored 22 points. Tyson Chandler had 13 points and 22 rebounds for the Bulls.

Boston 93, Memphis 91 -- Mike James made a 16-foot jump shot with 1.8 seconds left to give the Celtics the win at Memphis. The Grizzlies had tied their opener, at 91-91, when Pau Gasol made two free throws with 10.4 seconds remaining.

Sacramento 100, Philadelphia 89 -- Peja Stojakovic scored 28 points, and Bobby Jackson had 18 as the Kings beat the 76ers for the sixth consecutive time. It was also their 19th consecutive home victory against Eastern Conference teams.

Allen Iverson had 27 points and seven assists for the 76ers after straining his left shoulder during practice Thursday.

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Jamal Mashburn of the New Orleans Hornets will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Monday. No timetable has been set for his return. The operation and rehabilitation will take place in Miami, where the 6-foot-8 swingman met with doctors this week, team officials said. Loose particles will be removed from his right knee.