Nets cruise past SuperSonics 99-88

Richard Jefferson scored 28 points and the New Jersey Nets cruised to a 99-88 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night in a blowout that probably prevented Jason Kidd from recording a fourth straight triple-double.

Kidd finished with 16 points, 11 assists and five rebounds in a game in which he sat on the bench for the final 12 1/2 minutes.

Michael Jordan was the last player to record four straight triple-doubles, doing it during a streak of seven in 1989. The NBA record is nine in a row by Wilt Chamberlain in the 1967-68 season.

Vince Carter added 18 points and eight rebounds as the Nets won for the eighth time in 10 games.

Reserve Johan Petro tied his career high with 22 points for Seattle, which lost its fifth in a row and seventh in eight games. Nick Collison tied his season high with 18 points, while rookie Kevin Durant, who sprained an ankle against Cleveland on Tuesday night, added 15.

The Nets' big three of Kidd, Carter and Jefferson combined to hit 25 of 43 from the field and eight of 14 from 3-point range. New Jersey shot 48 percent from the field and 50 percent from long range.

Kidd seemed on his way to his 11th triple-double of the season and the 98th of his career after collecting eight points, five assists and four rebounds in the first quarter.

The All Star point guard broke a 21-all tie and triggered a 9-0 spurt with one of his four 3-pointers. Malik Allen, who had 15 points, added a turnaround jumper, Bostjan Nachbar hit two free throws and Jefferson scored on a steal and slam dunk for a 30-21 lead.

Seattle cut the lead to 36-33 on a jumper by Petro (10-of-15 shooting) midway through the second quarter, but Kidd, Jefferson and Carter answered.

Kidd hit a 3-pointer off a Carter assist, Jefferson scored on a reserve layup and Carter nailed a 3 off a Jefferson assist for a 44-33 lead.

The margin was 13 points at the half, 15 at the end of the third quarter and as many as 20 points in the final quarter.

Seattle only made it close in garbage time.

Notes:@ Kidd has 1,287 career 3-pointers, moving him into sole possession of 14th place in NBA history ahead of Mookie Blaylock (1,283). ... Kidd is six assists shy of passing Knicks coach Isiah Thomas (9,061) for fifth place in league history. ... New Jersey swept the two-game season series with the SuperSonics. ... The Nets are now 10-1 in game in which they have not trailed by double digits. They are 8-16 in games they have fallen behind by more than 10 points. ... The SuperSonics return home after an 0-4 road trip.