Memphis, Tenn. ? The New Jersey Nets could have used an extra player or two, even if it wasn’t Vince Carter.
The All-Star’s acquisition in a trade with the Toronto Raptors was announced before the game, but the Nets were left short-handed Friday night in an 89-94 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Jason Williams had a season-high 27 points and six assists to lead Memphis.
“We had some stale periods when we had different combinations in the game, and Jason (Kidd) would come back in and change the momentum at the time,” Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. “But we win together and lose together as a team.”
Richard Jefferson, who had 18 of his 26 points in the fourth period, got the Nets within 85-84 with 16 seconds left when he followed Kidd’s missed layup. But four free throws by James Posey in the final 12 seconds sealed Memphis’ victory.
The Nets hope to get a burst of offense soon from Carter, a five-time All-Star acquired from Toronto earlier Friday for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks.
The trade and a groin injury to reserve guard Travis Best left the Nets with only eight available players. New Jersey’s roster was stretched even further because Kidd’s playing time is limited as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
“We competed with eight guys,” said Kidd, who scored 17 points in 32 minutes, season-highs in both categories. “We were out there fighting and the Nets are trying to win every time we take the court. No matter what the names on the back of the jerseys say, you still have to go out there and play Nets basketball.”
Williams made nine of his 14 shots as Memphis snapped a two-game home losing streak. Williams and Mike Miller began connecting from long range in the fourth period to hold off the Nets.
“Down the stretch they made big shots,” said Brian Scalabrine, who had a career-high 21 points for the Nets. “When you’re down two and able to make a run then, boom, Jason Williams makes a shot, then Mike Miller makes a shot. It’s tough to battle back. Suddenly, you’re down five and then down eight.”
Jefferson added 11 rebounds and a pair of steals.
Pau Gasol scored 16 points for Memphis and grabbed 12 rebounds. Posey finished with 13 points, and Miller scored 12.
Memphis made only four of 18 3-point shots in the first three quarters. But with Williams and Miller firing away in the fourth, Memphis connected on four of seven from beyond the arc. That was a change from recent games, when the Grizzlies struggled in the final period.
“We have been making turnovers a lot and also we don’t make open shots,” Williams said of Memphis’ recent fourth-quarter play. “A lot of the time we have open shots but just don’t make them. Tonight, I hit shots at the end of the clock, and we executed better.”
The Nets jumped out early thanks to a 28-percent shooting performance by the Grizzlies in the first quarter. Scalabrine had eight of his 12 first-half points in the period.
Williams had 10 in the half, but also committed three of the Grizzlies’ 11 turnovers.
Memphis got five points from Williams during an 8-0 run, and built its lead to 62-55 entering the fourth quarter.
Jefferson scored New Jersey’s first 11 points of the final quarter, including a dunk that tied the game at 66-66. But Memphis went on a 9-0 run to grab a 75-66 lead.
Notes: Grizzlies F Shane Battier didn’t suit up for the second straight game due to a sprained right ankle. … Best was injured Tuesday against New York. … Scalabrine’s previous high was 16 against Golden State in March 2003. …Posey had season highs in rebounds (9) and assists (4). …Jefferson recorded his seventh double-double of the season.
