New Jersey 106, Portland 101

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — While Vince Carter’s return boosted the New Jersey Nets, it was Jason Kidd’s leadership that got them a victory.

Kidd had 12 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Nets snapped a six-game losing streak with a 106-101 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Richard Jefferson scored 30 points for the Nets, who welcomed back Carter after he missed five games with a sprained ankle. Carter finished with 13 points.

Brandon Roy had 25 points for the Blazers, who have lost five straight. Portland had opened the season with a 4-0 record at the Rose Garden.

Travis Outlaw’s dunk with 2:42 left gave the Blazers a 99-98 lead, and they extended it with LaMarcus Aldridge’s one-handed dunk.

But Bostjan Nachbar hit a 3-pointer with 1:04 to go, and Kidd followed with a layup and free throw to give New Jersey a 104-101 lead.

Kidd’s late layup came after what appeared to be a New Jersey timeout. Portland players relaxed and some went toward the bench.

“Jason was exerting just incredible energy. He ran the fake timeout play to perfection. … He was going to call a timeout, saw those guys stop, and went in and got the 3-point play,” Nets coach Lawrence Frank said.

According to Kidd: “Coach was calling for a timeout and I was just trying to get the ball up, and when I saw everybody start walking toward the bench I took a risk and made the layup — and got greedy and tried to get a 3-point play. It worked out.”

Roy thought the matter was just miscommunication about who was supposed to pick up Kidd.

Outlaw’s foul on Kidd with 6.9 seconds left sealed Portland’s fate, and Kidd made both free throws for the final margin.

It was Kidd’s third triple-double this season, the 90th of his NBA career, and his 52nd with New Jersey.

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