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Martin scores 24 as Nets beat Heat 99-88
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-02-05 11:35
Kenyon Martin celebrated his first All-Star selection with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the New Jersey Nets remained unbeaten under coach Lawrence Frank with a 99-88 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Jason Kidd added 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as the Nets won their sixth straight overall and their fifth in a row since Frank replaced Byron Scott.
Scott's firing came three days after the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions were embarrassed by the Heat, dropping an 85-64 decision in Miami.
The Nets returned the favor on Wednesday, posting their sixth straight double-digit victory in a rough game that featured a flagrant foul and seven technicals, including two that caused the ejection of Miami's guard Rafer Alston in the fourth quarter.
Richard Jefferson added 21 points and the Nets had no trouble with Miami's defense this time around, shooting 45.6 percent from the field.
Lamar Odom, who was not selected for the All-Star game despite averaging 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds, had 27 points and 12 rebounds in showing what fans in Los Angeles will miss at the midseason showcase of the NBA's top talent.
While the Nets never trailed after the opening quarter, Martin made sure Miami never had a chance after the Heat cut a 17-point lead to seven at the half.
Martin, who sat on the bench most of the second quarter after picking up his second foul, dominated the third quarter with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists. He had 10 of the Nets' first 12 points and assisted on a jam by Jefferson.
Martin added a little showtime in the fourth quarter blocking Caron Butler's shot to set up a fast break, and later throwing an alley-oop pass for a big jam by Jefferson.
The game had an ugly moment in the third quarter when Kidd was knocked into the basket support on a fast break by Malik Allen, who was called for a flagrant foul. Jefferson got a technical for pushing Allen.
Aaron Williams and Rodney Rogers led a 19-7 spurt by New Jersey's reserves that helped the Nets open a 42-25 second-quarter lead.
After Williams' free throw pushed the lead to 17 points with 3:53 left before halftime, Miami coach Stan Van Gundy took a chance and put Odom back in the game with three fouls. The move paid off as the Heat closed the half with a 14-4 run that featured five points apiece by Alston and Eddie Jones and no more fouls by Odom.
Notes:@ Kidd picked up an early technical after not getting a call on a fast-break layup attempt. ... Miami rookie Dwyane Wade (15.9 points) missed the game with a sprained left ankle. ... The Heat's five starters all scored in double figures. . .. The Nets' bench outscored their counterparts 29-14. ... New Jersey has won five in a row at home against Miami.
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