USA - Nocioni heroics not enough for Bulls

CHICAGO (NBA) - Andres Nocioni scored a game-high 28 points for the Chicago Bulls but it wasn’t enough for his team to avoid an 86-83 defeat at the hands of New Jersey on Thursday.

Jason Kidd scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out 11 assists as the Nets posted a come-from-behind victory.

Vince Carter had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Richard Jefferson scored 14 for New Jersey, who trailed by 18 points for the second straight time against Chicago before rallying to earn the victory.

New Jersey trailed 55-37 in the third quarter following a jumper by Nocioni, but outscored Chicago 22-5 in a seven-minute spell to close to 61-59. Kidd scored seven points in the run.

The Nets finally grabbed the lead at 76-74 with 5:41 remaining in the fourth, as Kidd connected on one of his three three-pointers.

The seven-time All-Star had eight points in the fourth quarter, and finished 8-of-17 from the field for New Jersey, who have won five of their last six games. It was Kidd's 82nd career triple-double.

Nocioni was supported by Ben Gordon, who poured in 23 for the Bulls, who have lost five of their last six games.

Gordon had just three second-half points and Kirk Hinrich added 19 points and 10 assists for Chicago, who shot 38 percent (29-of-77) and have dropped three of their last four at the United Center.

In Phoenix, Steve Nash led an explosive offensive assault with a season-high 21 assists - 14 in the first half - as the Suns pulled away in the second quarter en route to their eighth straight win, a 109-90 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire posted double-doubles for Phoenix (27-8), who handed Cleveland their worst defeat of the season and won their eighth straight at home over the Eastern Conference foe.

Nash, who has won the MVP award the past two seasons, scored just four points on 2-of-7 shooting, but he tied Kevin Johnson's record for assists in a half as the Suns closed on a 21-2 run to take a 67-41 lead into the third quarter.

James, who has led the Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference and a season-high five game-winning streak entering the contest, scored 34 points but committed five turnovers.

Marion had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Stoudemire finished with 17 and 13.

Raja Bell scored 18 points and Leandro Barbosa added 16 for Phoenix, who led by as many as 32 in the third before coasting home.

PA Sport