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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – In the 70th game of a lost and
miserable season, Kenyon Martin still found something to play for
Tuesday night.
Martin had 24 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and several
highlight-reel dunks in one of his better all-around performances
of the season as New Jersey defeated Vancouver 104-90.
One of the few players on either team who gave a consistently strong effort all night, Martin seemed to be making a push for the Rookie of the Year award.
"We're not making the playoffs, and I'm trying to make a positive out of it," said Martin, the overall No. 1 pick in last year's draft. "I just work hard every night and have fun."
Martin shot 12-for-20 from the field and added four assists and two steals.
He is expected to be one of the leading contenders for the
rookie award, with his primary competition coming from Marc Jackson
of Golden State and Mike Miller of Orlando.
Martin is second to Jackson among rookies in scoring and rebounding. He leads all rookies in blocks, steals and minutes per game.
"I think his play the last couple of months to me has shown he is the best rookie in the game, hands down," Nets coach Byron Scott said.
Keith Van Horn also scored 24 for the Nets, who snapped a five-game losing streak and sent the Grizzlies to their sixth
consecutive defeat despite playing without leading scorer Stephon
Marbury (sore hip).
Mike Bibby had 23 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim 19 for
Vancouver.
Marbury missed his second straight game with a strained right
hip, forcing the Nets to use their 17th different starting lineup.
Sherman Douglas replaced Marbury at the point and played 48 minutes for the second consecutive game, contributing 13 points and 10 assists.
The Nets shot 53 percent and outrebounded Vancouver 50-30.
Martin and fellow rookie Stephen Jackson each had spectacular
dunks during a 12-0 run that gave the Nets a 35-20 lead early in
the second quarter. Martin dunked over Damon Jones, who was the
subject of some ribbing from his teammates afterward.
"Did they make that Kenyon Martin poster already?" teammate Kevin Edwards yelled at Jones.
By halftime, the Nets had converted 24 field goals – 17 of which
were dunks or layups.
After making a steal that led to a 2-on-1 fast break early in
the third quarter, Martin slammed in Douglas' missed layup to give
the Nets a 16-point lead.
Van Horn hit a jumper with 7:18 left in the third to give the
Nets their first 20-point lead, and it was 81-64 when Martin went
to the bench with 9:04 left in the fourth and New Jersey seemingly
in control.
Erick Strickland then scored five points in an 11-2 run that
pulled Vancouver to 83-73, bringing Martin back off into the game.
He immediately scored from inside to end the Grizzlies' run, then
fed Van Horn for a 3-pointer that made it 88-75 with 5:35
left.
The Grizzlies got no closer than nine the rest of the way despite Martin fouling out with 4:21 left.
Asked afterward if he believes he should get the rookie award, Martin went ahead and lobbied for himself.
"If they go by all I do here, I think so. I'm not leading in points," he said, "but if they go on all I do for my team, I think so."
Game notes
Marbury said he hopes to play Thursday against Boston. ...
Nets guard Lucious Harris missed the game for personal reasons. ... Other than the team radio broadcasters, no members of the Vancouver media covered the game. ... Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has until Monday to notify the NBA where he plans to move the team. Memphis, Louisville, Anaheim and New Orleans are the leading contenders.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
New York 110
Cleveland 75
New Jersey 104
Vancouver 90
Toronto 102
Indiana 81
Orlando 103
Chicago 95
Portland 96
Dallas 88
Phoenix 105
Washington 91
Utah 84
Detroit 79
LA Clippers 88
Philadelphia 77
Sacramento 125
Houston 109
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