Kidd Makes Key Shots as Suns Defeat Spurs

Jason Kidd, who scored 23 points, made two late baskets that helped the Phoenix Suns defeat the San Antonio Spurs, 77-74, Sunday night at Phoenix.

Kidd gave Phoenix its first lead with a 17-foot shot from the top of the key with 57 seconds remaining, and made another 14 seconds later as the Suns held on.

The second basket came when teammate Penny Hardaway tipped an inbounds pass from Tim Duncan to Kidd. He passed the ball back to Hardaway, and then took a return pass before scoring to make it, 71-67.

The Spurs’ David Robinson played only 22 minutes and was held to 12 points and 10 rebounds because of foul trouble. Duncan had 15 points and 17 rebounds but missed two free throws with 1:53 remaining and the score tied at 67-67.

New Jersey 112, Washington 87--Keith Van Horn had 23 points and a career-high 18 rebounds and Johnny Newman scored 25 points as the Nets beat the Wizards at East Rutherford, N.J. It was the Nets’ first victory.

Stephon Marbury, who averaged 30.3 points in the Nets’ three losses, had eight assists and only 10 points.

“It was definitely the new offense,” Marbury said of the Nets’ two-guard set that at times took the ball out of his hands. “We got more movement and easy baskets and everybody touched the ball.”

Marbury had eight assists and 10 points, well off the 30.3 he averaged in the three losses.

Kendall Gill, who scored 19 points for the Nets, saw it differently. “The defense was the key,” he said. “We wanted to stop their big three and we did.”

It was the Wizards’ third straight loss.

Toronto 109, Charlotte 99--The Raptors, who have won three in a row after losing their season opener, got 25 points from Vince Carter at Toronto.

Carter, known for his high-flying dunks, did much of his damage from the outside Sunday. All 11 of his points in the fourth quarter came on jump shots.

“I’m confident. I’m just letting them go,” said last season’s NBA rookie of the year.

Former Hornets Dell Curry and Muggsy Bogues had big games against their former team. Curry scored 14 points, six of them in a decisive 12-4 run in the fourth quarter. Curry had nine points in the fourth quarter and Bogues had five assists. Bogues finished with 10 points and 11 assists.