By Paul Levine May 9, 2006, 13:22 GMT
Los Angeles - Jason Kidd picked a good time to shoot his way out of a bad slump.
Miami Heat guard Jason Williams (L) is defended by New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd (R) during their second round Eastern Conference playoff game at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, Monday 08 May 2006 The Nets defeated the Heat 100-88 to take a one game to none lead in the best-of-seven series.. EPA/RHONA WISE
Kidd scored 22 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists as the New Jersey Nets stunned the host Miami Heat, 100-88 Monday night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series.
Kidd averaged just eight points on an icy 29-per-cent shooting in New Jersey's opening-round victory over Indiana. However, the premier point guard hit nine-of-17 floor shots to help the Nets steal home- court advantage in the best-of-seven game series.
'My teammates have stuck with me during this little dry period I've had shooting the ball but my game isn't dictated on points,' Kidd said. 'It's setting the tone, it's being able to find the open guy, and that's what I tried to do tonight.'
'It's not about Jason's scoring, it never will be and it never has been,' Nets coach Lawrence Frank explained. 'Great players, especially great point guards try to get their teammates off first, and then do whatever is necessary in order to help the team win.'
Vince Carter scored 27 points, and Richard Jefferson added 20 before leaving with a sprained right ankle in the third quarter as New Jersey dominated from the start but held off a late Heat run to secure the win.
'We were focused from the beginning,' Carter said. 'We wanted to be aggressive and let everybody know we can compete with one of the better teams.'
Dwayne Wade scored 25 points for Miami, which hosts game two Wednesday night. Shaquille O'Neal, ineffective through quarters, had 13 of his 20 points in the final period in 19 foul-plagued minutes.
'We'll take it on the chin right now but we'll come back out Wednesday and do better,' Wade said.
Jefferson got the Nets off to a quick start. He scored 11 points in the first four minutes and the Nets forced nine turnovers while hitting 15-of-21 shots en route to a 38-21 lead after one.
'They jumped right on us,' Heat coach Pat Riley said. 'It was real fast about as fast as it can be and be down. We contributed with the turnovers in the first quarter. We were just not ready at the beginning of the game to play on their level, at least tonight.'
The Nets took a 64-46 cushion into the locker room on the strength of 17 points from Kidd and Jefferson while Carter had 14.
Jefferson went down with 10:23 left in the third quarter after rolling his ankle on a drive to the basket. Though X-Rays were negative, his status for game two is uncertain.
With New Jersey ahead, 70-54 in the third quarter, O'Neal picked up two more fouls, and returned to the bench with 8:35 left.
The Nets went on a 13-0 run and widened the gap to 82-54 with four minutes left in the period.
Trailing by 20 entering the final frame, O'Neal scored 11 points to spark an 18-3 surge to pull the Heat within 92-83 with 4:22 remaining.
But Carter scored five straight points and Kidd buried a back- breaking jumper to open a 99-86 advantage with 1:56 left to end the threat.
'We knew a great team like that is going to make a run, that's a given,' Carter said. 'We had to keep our composure, remain patient and just execute.'
Elsewhere:
Phoenix Suns 130, LA Clippers 123:
After receiving the NBA's Most Valuable Player Trophy before tipoff, Steve Nash put on another MVP performance.
Nash had 31 points and 12 assists as the Suns pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Clippers in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series.
'You hate to win the MVP, then fall flat on your face after being recognized and the fans getting behind you,' Nash said. 'I didn't want to disappoint anyone.'
Shawn Marion had 20 points and 15 rebounds for Phoenix, which hit 55 per cent from the field, including 12-of-27 3-pointers. Raja Bell added 22 points, Frenchman Boris Diaw 19 and Brazilian Leandro Barbosa 17.
Elton Brand wasted a playoff-career-high 40 points on 18-of-22 shooting for the Clippers, who were appearing in the second round for the first time in 30 years. Sam Cassell had 28 points and Corey Maggette 20.
'It was tough, personally I had a great game, but we didn't pull this one out,' Brand said. 'They're a hot team, they hit shots, but we had an opportunity.'
After Brand's dunk tied the game at 101 with 8:33 remaining, the Suns went on a 19-6 burst, capped by Nash's 3-pointer that opened a 120-107 with 2:56 left.
Cassell's layup cut the lead to 122-115 with 1:45 to go. But Nash converted a three-point play with a minute left to seal the win.
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