Nets End Nine-Game Skid

The Nets' nine-game losing streak is over, thanks in large part to Sherman Douglas even though he missed his final shot.

Douglas scored 22 points, and his driving layup was rebounded and put in by Kenyon Martin with 2.1 seconds left as the Nets ended their skid with an 86-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

"You've just got to stay focused and be ready when your number is called," said Douglas, who was impatient about his lack of playing time earlier in the season. "When you get called you have to step up and be a professional."

Douglas was there to answer the call Friday as Stephon Marbury (sprained ankle) missed his third straight game.

"He was unbelievable," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "You couldn't ask for anything more. He was playing against one of the best point guards in the league (Jason Kidd) and Sherman outplayed him. No question, hands down."

"If I weren't coaching the losing team it would be kind of refreshing to watch this game because he (Douglas) is a guy who knows how to play and run a team. It shows you that if you still know how to play you can still play in this league."

Douglas worked a give-and-go with Aaron Williams and tossed up a soft floater in the lane. The ball fell off to the left side, where Martin was waiting. The basket gave him his only points of the second half.

Williams led the Nets with 23 points while Cliff Robinson, who missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer, led the Suns with 25.

Shawn Marion added 19 for Phoenix while Jason Kidd finished with 17.

"We knew we had to control the tempo and keep the score in the 80s because we've been struggling to score points," said Douglas, a veteran of 11 NBA seasons.

New Jersey led most of the way and opened a 70-61 lead early in the fourth period only to see the Suns fight back.

Phoenix outscored the Nets 9-2 to pull to 72-70 on Marion's drive with 7:46 to play. The Suns finally tied the game at 78 on Robinson's fast-break dunk with 3:01 to play.

But the Nets, also playing without Kendall Gill for a second straight game, never let the Suns take the lead.

"We got exactly what we deserved," Skiles said.

Robinson tied it for Phoenix on two free throws with 22.2 to play, setting the stage for the winning basket.

The Nets tallied the first seven points of the second quarter, four by Johnny Newman, to open a 25-17 lead. The Suns fought back to pull to 29-28 on Cliff Robinson's 3-point basket, but the Nets scored 10 of the next 14, five by Williams, to open a 39-32 advantage.

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