Kidd holds off Miami b-ball rally

EAST RUTHERFORD: Jason Kidd scored 13 of his 30 points in the third quarter to hold off a Miami rally and lead the New Jersey Nets to a 99-83 victory over the Heat in the NBA.

Coupled with Philadelphia’s loss to Houston, the first-place Nets opened a one and a half match lead over the 76ers in the Atlantic Division on Friday night. Richard Jefferson added 18 points and Rodney Rogers came off the bench for 12 as the Nets swept the four-match season series from Miami for the first time. Brian Grant had 23 points and eight rebounds and Caron Butler had 15 points for Miami, who lost their fourth straight overall and seventh straight on the road. Rockets 88, 76ers 79

IN PHILADELPHIA: Yao Ming had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets capitalised on an injury to Keith Van Horn and a poor match by Allen Iverson to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 88-79. Iverson missed 19 of his 23 shots, including his final 16, and finished with just eight points —- all in the first quarter. He wasn’t fouled and missed his only free throw. The Sixers lost Van Horn to a sprained left foot in the second quarter. X-rays were negative, but Van Horn was to have an MRI and didn’t return. James Posey added 19 points and 12 rebounds as the Rockets moved within one match of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.