Nets Lose in Kidd’s Return

In some ways, the Milwaukee Bucks and New Jersey Nets won Tuesday night.

While the Bucks beat New Jersey, 103-98, to move closer to home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, the Nets were just as happy knowing All-Stars Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin should be ready for the postseason after being sidelined for weeks because of knee injuries.

“We weren’t so much focused in on Milwaukee,” Net forward Richard Jefferson said. “We were more focused on J-Kidd and Kenyon and playing the right way. We made some mistakes and give all the credit to Milwaukee but we were more worried about ourselves tonight.”

Milwaukee increased its lead over fifth-place Miami to 1 1/2 games by rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.

“This was a huge win for us,” said Michael Redd, who had 21 points for Milwaukee. “This is a team that no one expected to do anything at the beginning of the season and for us to get 40 wins and possible home-court advantage will blow a lot of people’s minds.”

Damon Jones had 23 points and 11 assists for Milwaukee. Rodney Rodgers had a season-high 26 points for the Nets.

Kidd finished with nine points on four-for-11 shooting with five assists and two rebounds in 21 minutes. Martin had six points on three-for-eight shooting and two rebounds, also in 21 minutes.

“I was very happy with the response,” said Kidd. “I feel very confident that we’re going in the right direction.”

Indiana 107, New York 86 -- Ron Artest had 26 points to lead Pacers in Isiah Thomas’ return to Indianapolis.

Thomas, the Knicks’ team president, attended a game at the arena for the first time since being fired as Pacer coach in August.

The loss reduced the Knicks’ lead over Boston to a half-game for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto 87, Cleveland 86 -- Jalen Rose made a three-point basket with six-tenths of a second left and Vince Carter had 32 points as the Raptors ended a seven-game losing streak and perhaps the Cavaliers’ playoff hopes at Cleveland.

A loss would have eliminated the Raptors from the postseason. The Cavaliers’ fifth consecutive loss dropped them three games behind idle Boston for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit 102, Orlando 86 -- Rasheed Wallace had 17 points and 11 rebounds at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Pistons hand the Magic its 11th straight loss.

The Pistons won for the 13th time in 15 games but also suffered a key loss when point guard Chauncey Billups did not return after twisting his left ankle in the third quarter.

Sacramento 105, New Orleans 91 -- Brad Miller had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back from an elbow injury at Sacramento to help the Kings move a half-game ahead of Minnesota atop the Western Conference.

Peja Stojakovic had 26 points and Chris Webber had 24 for the Kings.

New Orleans clinched a playoff berth despite losing for the 12th time in 13 road games and falling to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Golden State 97, Houston 90 -- Troy Murphy scored 20 points at Oakland as the Warriors handed the Rockets their fifth consecutive loss.

Houston is only 1 1/2 games ahead of eighth-place Utah in the Western Conference standings. Houston was 13 games over .500 after beating Memphis on March 13, but the Rockets have lost nine of 12.

Dallas 118, Seattle 108 -- Michael Finley scored 24 points, Dirk Nowitzki added 23 and the Mavericks extended their winning streak to five games at Dallas by scoring 118 or more points for the sixth consecutive game.

Philadelphia 103, Atlanta 100 -- Rookie Willie Green scored a career-high 26 points and Samuel Dalembert added 18 points and 18 rebounds at Atlanta to help the 76ers send the Hawks to 0-6 in overtime games.