New Jersey Nets Team Report - March 24

(Basketball News) - Richard Jefferson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead New Jersey to an 84-81 win over Chicago on Tuesday at the United Center.

Lucious Harris contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who snapped a three-game losing streak without Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin. Kidd is on the injured list with a knee injury and could miss the remainder of the season, while Martin sat out his third consecutive game with a knee injury.

With the win the Nets moved nine games back of the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and increased their lead to 9 1/2 games over the idle New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division.

Brandon Armstrong also contributed 11 points for New Jersey, which used an 11-2 surge to overcome a five-point deficit in the fourth quarter. A basket by Harris with 2:50 remaining put the Nets ahead 79-75.

Jamal Crawford’s steal and jumper got Chicago within 83-81 with 1:16 to play. But despite missing a shot on its next possession, Jefferson won a jump ball for New Jersey in the final minute.

After retaining possession on a team rebound after a forced jumper by Jefferson, Kerry Kittles hit one of two foul shots with 7.2 seconds to cap the scoring.

Crawford’s three-pointer from the left corner hit the front of the rim and bounced off as time expired.

Martin is listed as questionable for the Nets next game, which will be played Friday in Boston.