EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New Jersey Nets were on the brink of another late-game collapse against the Boston Celtics when Jason Kidd called on an old friend to help him out: the pick-and-roll.

	Van Horn

	Kidd

Nets fans haven't had the luxury of seeing Kidd run the play to perfection much this season because, well, the fast-break Nets have hardly needed it. But they certainly needed it Wednesday night in a 103-92 win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Earlier in the day at practice, Kidd decided to pull Keith Van Horn aside and casually run through a few situations they could possibly use the pick-and-roll in. It's a play Kidd has had much success with over his eight-year career.

"It was one of our main plays when I was in Phoenix, so I have a great deal of familiarity with it," said Kidd. "I've always felt it was one of my strengths."

It turned out to be the staple of the Nets' game-deciding, 20-1 fourth-quarter run.

With the Nets clinging to a 76-73 lead and the Celtics poised for another incredible comeback, Van Horn set a pick for Kidd at the left elbow, then broke hard for the hoop. Kidd zipped him the ball and Van Horn finished with a tough driving layup. And one.

Two minutes and 52 seconds later, the pair ran the same play. This time, instead of rolling to the basket, Van Horn stepped behind the 3-point line right in front of the Celtics' bench. Kidd got him the ball again and he immediately fired a 3-pointer, which was greeted by pure twine. Van Horn raised his arms signaling three points as he ran back down the court and held them up until he turned around to play D.

"When he shoots it like that with no hesitation, he is one of the best shooting big men in the league," Nets coach Byron Scott said.

Next possession, same play. This time Antoine Walker and Kenny Anderson didn't get so tangled up and Walker was able to stay with Van Horn, who drifted deep to the corner. Kidd still got him the ball. The Celtics, now fully aware of what the Nets were doing, rotated 6-foot-11 Tony Battie over to Van Horn. With Battie closing, Keith had second thoughts about the shot, but then squared his feet and released it with confidence.

It seemed like the entire Nets' five was rejoicing and jumping at half-court when that shot hit bottom. The Celtics called time and walked to their bench with their heads bowed. In a rare show of emotion, Van Horn ran to the opposite baseline and began high-fiving fans as Kenyon Martin sprinted over and put him in a bear hug.

Scoreboard: 94-74, Nets.

"That stretch was huge for me," Van Horn said. "Jason came in and settled everyone down and began running our half-court game. They just didn't have an answer."

Leave it to Jason Kidd to find yet another way to beat you.

Chris Palmer is a staff writer for ESPN the Magazine.