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Tickets at Ticket Master
The New Jersey Nets look to extend their franchise-record winning streak to
13 games, and continue coach Lawrence Frank's unbeaten run when they host the
New Orleans Hornets.
Jason Kidd tied a season-high with 15 assists and Richard Jefferson had 20 points
to help the Nets establish a franchise mark with their 12th straight victory
in a 91-72 rout of the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Kidd also had 15 assists on Dec. 12 at Orlando. His career-high is 25.
Kerry Kittles added 19 points for the Nets, whose previous longest win streak came from Dec. 23, 1982 to Jan. 12, 1983.
Frank improved
to 11-0 since taking over for fired coach Byron Scott. Frank set an NBA record
for the best start ever to a coaching career by winning his 10th consecutive
game Wednesday against Atlanta.
New Jersey All-Star forward Kenyon Martin did not start Friday because of a
sinus infection, but entered the game with 6:14 left in the first quarter. He
finished with six points and two rebounds in 24 minutes.
Jamal Mashburn scored 26 points and Baron Davis added 23 points and 13 assists to lead New Orleans past the Washington Wizards 120-98 on Wednesday in the Hornets' highest-scoring game of the season.
The Hornets have won three straight and four of five.
``After the All-Star break, you've got to turn it up a notch and get ready for the playoffs,'' Mashburn said. ``That's what good teams do. No matter who the opponent is, you can't have any slippage.''
New Orleans acquired guard Shammond Williams from the Orlando Magic shortly before Thursday's NBA trading deadline, with the Magic getting reserve center Sean Rooks in return.
``It's a great opportunity to be in a position to make it to the playoffs as well as do well in the playoffs,'' Williams said. ``They have a lot of pieces here that can basically win a championship.''
Hornets coach Tim Floyd wasted little time making it clear that Williams should not expect to see abundant playing time if New Orleans guards Davis, David Wesley and Darrell Armstrong stay healthy for the rest of the season.
Williams, a six-year pro, has played in 37 games this season, averaging 4.9
points and 1.7 assists.