Surprise, surprise! Kidd returns, Nets win

Kidd, making his season debut following July 1 surgery on his left knee, scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in 21 minutes of action. He dished out just three assists and committed six turnovers, but did drain a game-tying three-pointer in the final two minutes.

Richard Jefferson, who hit the game-winning basket with seven seconds left, scored 26 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out eight assists for the Nets, who have won two straight and three of four after starting the season 2-11.

Kidd, 31, averaged 15.5 points, 9.2 assists and 6.4 rebounds over 67 regular- season games last year for New Jersey. He then posted averages of 12.6 points, 9.0 assists and 6.6 boards in 11 playoff contests.

To make room for Kidd, New Jersey placed forward Awvee Storey on the injured list with a strained right hamstring. He has played in nine games this season.

Meanwhile, the Raptors got guard Vince Carter back after missing Saturday’s game and Sunday’s practice with food poisoning. Carter finished with a team- high 22 points, but had a potential game-tying bucket bounce out at the buzzer.