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Kidd, Nets take on Raptors in pivotal Game Four

Apr 29, 2007 - 12:47 PM Toronto at New Jersey 7:30 pm EDT Eastern Conference First Round Nets lead series, 2-1

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - If Jason Kidd was injured, the New Jersey Nets can't wait to see what he'll pull off when he gets healthy.

Kidd and the Nets will host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday in Game Four of their best-of-seven first-round series.

Kidd collected 16 points, 16 rebounds and a career playoff-high and franchise-record 19 assists as the Nets raced to a two-games-to-one lead with a 102-89 victory over the Raptors.

But despite the stellar performance, the star point guard's health was in doubt prior to the game.

Battling a sore left knee that required significant treatment during the two-day hiatus following Game Two, Kidd showed no ill effects in joining Wilt Chamberlain and Lafayette "Fat" Lever as the only players in playoff history to post over 15 points, assists and rebounds in a single game.

"I think (the injury) helps me focus in that you might not be as fast, but (you have to make better decisions)," Kidd said.

Kidd tied Hall of Famer Larry Bird for second all-time with his 10th career playoff triple-double. He only trails Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, who notched 30 triple-doubles in the postseason.

"I still don't know what I accomplished," Kidd said, downplaying the importance of his statistical achievement. "As a team, I know we accomplished winning the game."

Toronto coach Sam Mitchell admitted it boils down to his team's effort on the defensive end.

"If guys don't get back on defense for Game Four, they're not going to play," Mitchell said.

Game Five shifts back to Toronto on Tuesday.