Nets set season-starting record for futility

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The New Jersey Nets were pounded into NBA infamy Wednesday night, falling 117-101 to the Dallas Mavericks for their 18th straight loss to start the season.

The Mavericks made 17 of 19 shots and opened a 27-point lead in a nearly flawless second quarter, burying the Nets early in former New Jersey captain Jason Kidd's second trip back to his old home.

The Nets passed the 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1999 Los Angeles Clippers, who both dropped their first 17 games. New Jersey's next chance to end the streak comes Friday night at home against Charlotte.

Dallas shot 81 percent in the first half, the first NBA team to make 80 percent of its shots in a half since the Denver Nuggets hit 82 percent against the Clippers on April 4, 2006, according to STATS, LLC.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points, and Kidd had 16 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Mavericks. Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 24 points for the Nets.

Hawks 146, Raptors 115

ATLANTA (AP) - Al Horford had 24 points to lead nine scorers in double figures and Atlanta had its best offensive night in 16 years.

The Hawks had their highest-scoring game since Jan. 30, 1993, when they beat Philadelphia 149-123. They had nine players in double figures for the first time since Dec. 4, 1987, against New Jersey.

Toronto's Chris Bosh, the NBA's No. 7 scorer at 25.2 points per game, had a season-low two points in only 16 minutes.

Cavaliers 107, Suns 90

CLEVELAND (AP) - Shaquille O'Neal scored 12 points against his former team, and LeBron James just missed a triple-double for Cleveland.

O'Neal added nine rebounds in 21 minutes, and James finished with 12 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds. Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 14 points while setting the club record for games played with 724.

Channing Frye scored 22 points for Phoenix.

Thunder 117, 76ers 106

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Kevin Durant scored 33 points to help Oklahoma hand Philadelphia its eighth straight loss.

Jeff Green added 19 points, Nick Collison had 18 in his first game back from an injury, and Russell Westbrook had a career-high 15 assists for Oklahoma City.

Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia with 28 points. Earlier Wednesday, the 76ers signed 10-time All-Star Allen Iverson.

Magic 118, Knicks 104

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Rashard Lewis scored 17 of his 20 points in Orlando's 41 points third quarter, and Dwight Howard added 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Mickael Pietrus had 17 points in the Magic's ninth win in 10 games. Wilson Chandler had 24 points, and Danilo Gallinari added 20 points for New York.

Bulls 92, Pistons 85

CHICAGO (AP) -John Salmons scored 22 points, and Derrick Rose added 19 to help Chicago end a five-game losing streak.

Detroit's Ben Gordon made his return to the United Center and heard the boos from the crowd. Gordon, who led the Bulls in scoring the previous four seasons before signing with Detroit in the offseason, scored 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting.

Wizards 104, Bucks 102

WASHINGTON (AP) - Earl Boykins scored 11 of his 13 points in the final 10 minutes, including the winning free throws with a second left for Washington.

Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 22 points, and Nick Young scored 21. Luke Ridnour and Hakim Warrick each scored 20 points for Milwaukee.

Kings 110, Pacers 105

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Tyreke Evans scored 26 points to help Sacramento sweep a four-game homestand to improve to 9-8.

Jason Thompson added 22 points, and Spencer Hawes had 21 for the Kings, 7 of 10 from 3-point range in the second half. Danny Granger made six 3-pointers and scored 33 points for Indiana. The Pacers have lost three straight.

Grizzlies 97, Timberwolves 95

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Mike Conley scored a season-high 20 points, and Rudy Gay scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half for Memphis.

Zach Randolph also had 20 points for Memphis. Ryan Gomes led Minnesota (2-16) with 20 points, and Ramon Sessions had 16.

Rockets 102, Clippers 85

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Aaron Brooks made his first eight shots and finished with 22 points, and Chase Budinger added 19 points for Houston.

Al Thornton had 19 points for Los Angeles.