Mourning Is Simply Too Tough for Bulls

Alonzo Mourning was his dominant old self in his second game since having a kidney transplant 11 months ago, making back-to-back layups in the second overtime to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 111-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls Friday night at Chicago.

Though Mourning said before the game that he’ has asked the Nets for a contract buyout so he can go to a team with a better chance of winning, he promised it wouldn’t affect his play. It didn’t, as he made all five of his shots, scored 17 points and had five rebounds in 26 minutes.

Richard Jefferson had 26 points and a career-high 21 rebounds for the Nets, who won despite blowing a 27-point lead.

Kirk Hinrich scored 17 of his career-high 34 points in the third quarter, leading the Bulls on a furious rally in their season opener. Bull rookie Luol Deng had a double-double in his first NBA game, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Toronto 101, Detroit 89 -- Center Loren Woods had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Vince Carter scored seven of his 12 points in the final three minutes at Toronto to help the Raptors improve to 2-0.

The Pistons were without Coach Larry Brown, who underwent surgery on his left hip Wednesday and is expected to be away from the team for seven to 10 days.

Detroit gave up 100 or more points for the first time since Feb. 7, 2004 at Dallas -- a span of 31 regular-season games.

Houston 89, Memphis 81 -- Tracy McGrady scored 30 points and had nine assists to lead the Rockets at Memphis, Tenn. The Rockets avoided becoming the sixth team in club history to start 0-3, despite being in foul trouble all night. They played their third straight on the road and are in the midst of four games in five nights.

Indiana 100, Boston 94 -- Ron Artest scored 28 points and Jermaine O’Neal had 19 to lead the short-handed Pacers at Boston. Playing without Reggie Miller, Jonathan Bender, Jeff Foster and Anthony Johnson because of injuries, Indiana extended its winning streak against Boston to eight games -- including a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Orlando 90, New Orleans 89 -- Steve Francis soared into the lane to put back Pat Garrity’s missed three-point shot with 2.7 seconds left at New Orleans.

Baron Davis, whose 36 points kept the Hornets in the game, had the ball in his hands along the baseline as the last seconds ticked away. He made a no-look pass into the lane, but Jamaal Magloire bobbled it and had to rush a shot that was blocked by former Hornet Stacy Augmon.

Phoenix 108, Philadelphia 98 -- Amare Stoudemire scored 29 points, Shawn Marion had 24, and Joe Johnson 22 to lead the Suns at Philadelphia. They also got 15 points from former Clipper Quentin Richardson.

Utah 102, Golden State 80 -- The Jazz, which never trailed at Oakland, closed the third quarter on a 25-10 run. Former Laker Derek Fisher scored 15 of his 17 points in the second quarter for the Warriors, who lost their second in a row.

Seattle 106, Atlanta 85 -- Rashard Lewis scored 23 points and blocked five shots, and Ray Allen had 25 points to lead the SuperSonics at Seattle. The SuperSonics, who won their home opener for the seventh year in a row, led, 79-64, going into the fourth quarter.