Nets take 2-0 lead over Hornets

Posted 7:33AM on Wednesday 8th May 2002 ( 23 years ago )

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Jason Kidd looked ordinary after being snubbed for the NBA's MVP award. The Nets turned instead to a rookie and a veteran in a facemask. ``The thing that makes our team so exciting is that it can be anybody,'' Kidd said. Lucious Harris hit 10 of 11 shots and scored a career playoff high of 24 points. Rookie Richard Jefferson added 10 points, six rebounds and three assists as New Jersey beat the Charlotte Hornets 102-88 Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal. ``That's how it's been all season,'' said Kidd, who was held to 11 points on 5-of-18 shooting on a night when many expected a lot more. ``The people who have followed us all season understand you probably couldn't pick out who is going to step up.'' Harris' performance was totally unexpected in another game the Hornets let slip away late. This was the first time in 41 games he scored 20 or more points. He also came through with the game on the line, getting six straight points to ignite a game-ending 16-5 spurt. ``He is a quality player,'' Hornets coach Paul Silas said of New Jersey's masked man, who broke a bone in his face and had surgery in March. ``He can make big shots, but to shoot 10-for-11, that is disappointing to me that we allowed him to play that well.'' The Hornets head home for games Thursday and Sunday that might not draw many fans. The NBA is considering a request to move the franchise to New Orleans, and final approval may come Friday. ``When we get home, I think you'll see guys knock down shots that they are comfortable with,'' said Hornets guard Baron Davis, who again struggled in the fourth quarter, scoring only one of his 21 points. ``It doesn't matter about the crowd. We're used to it.'' The Nets are also used to having Kidd lead the way, and this was one night where he couldn't get anything to fall. Kidd spent much of the morning shootaround saying he wasn't upset that Tim Duncan of San Antonio edged him for the league's MVP award, which will be announced Thursday. During the game the crowd chanted ``M-V-P'' in honor of Kidd but he never seemed in synch. ``He's been carrying us all season,'' Harris said. ``He had an off night tonight, but I'm sure he'll have a good Game 3. For us to come up and help him out, that's fine.'' Harris wasn't the only one to contribute. Jefferson supplied energy in the first half with the Nets' big men in foul trouble. He scored nine points to help New Jersey take a 53-50 lead. After Charlotte built a 64-59 lead midway through the third quarter, center Todd MacCulloch scored all six of his points and Keith Van Horn added six of his 20 in a 13-2 spurt that gave New Jersey the lead for good. Charlotte cut a 12-point deficit to 86-83 with 5:47 to play on a jumper by Elden Campbell. But Harris took over one more time to put the game away for the team that used to be one of the worst in the league until Kidd arrived last summer. The crowd then came up with a new chant: ``Lu-cious Har-ris.'' ``That's something you dream about, getting the crowd behind you,'' Harris said. ``All those years of booing, and now they're chanting your name. I don't blame them - they've got something to cheer for and they're cheering.'' David Wesley scored 17 points and Campbell added 15 for the Hornets. Charlotte fell behind Milwaukee 2-0 in last year's conference semifinal but came back to win the next three games. The Bucks won the final two to win the series. ``That's scary, once you back a dog into a corner, it comes out barking,'' Harris said. ``We have to come out in Game 3 with the same intensity we had in Games 1 and 2.'' NOTES: Nets forward Kenyon Martin missed a couple of minutes in the fourth quarter after taking an elbow from Campbell. ... The Nets did not record one offensive rebound or a second-chance point in the second half. ... New Jersey's 10 turnovers were its fewest in seven playoff games. ... The crowd of 20,049 was a sellout. ... Charlotte's bench was outscored 40-22. ... Hornets backup center Jamaal Magliore returned after sitting out Game 1 with a suspension and scored 13 points.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/5/194925