Washington — Kenyon Martin made a big mistake when he mentioned his back spasms to Michael Jordan.
Upon learning this news, Jordan went to work and nearly set an NBA record. He scored 22 points in a row, part of a 45-point game in the Washington Wizards' 98-76 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Monday night in the MCI Center's annual New Year's Eve game.
"Kenyon Martin told me he had a back problem," Jordan said. "I don't think he wants to tell me that. I just started attacking from that point on."
Coming off a 51-point game and a six-pointer before that, Jordan made 16 of 32 shots and 12 of 13 free throws with 10 rebounds and seven assists. He scored the last 10 points of the first half and the first 12 of the third quarter, single-handedly accounting for a 19-3 run that put Washington ahead 56-45. The Nets never got closer than nine the rest of the way.
"Michael's feeling better," Washington coach Doug Collins said. "I guess that's an understatement, huh?"
The 22-point streak was one shy of the league record, set by Jordan when he had 23 in a row for Chicago against Atlanta on April 16, 1987. Jordan scored 61 in that game.
The Wizards have won 11 of their last 13 and went 11-4 for the month, tying the team record for most wins in December. They went 2-13 last December, the worst in franchise history.
"My knees are feeling good," said the 38-year-old Jordan, who has been battling tendinitis all season. "I'm feeling a lot better. Once I get in a rhythm, I can get it going, so I think that'll keep all those old-player conversations down a little bit."
The Nets suffered their worst loss of the season, had their three-game winning streak snapped and finished the month 9-5, one win shy of their best December. They were fighting history against Jordan, having lost 23 consecutive games on Jordan's home court in a streak that's more than 16 years old.
Martin and Keith Van Horn led New Jersey with 16 points apiece.
Kidd had 10 points and 11 assists.
Asked about his back, Martin said: "I ain't going to make no excuses tonight. I hope I'll be alright."
Jordan aside, the Nets really lost the game on the boards. Jordan was one of four Wizards players with double-digit rebounds.
Popeye Jones had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Rookie Brendan Haywood had 13 rebounds, and Jahidi White had 10.
The Wizards outrebounded the Nets 62-30.
Bulls 90, Bucks 83
Chicago The Chicago Bulls are winning under new coach Bill Cartwright. The Milwaukee Bucks are struggling without their two top players.
Ron Mercer scored 20 points, and Marcus Fizer added 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, leading the Bulls to a 90-83 victory over the Bucks on Monday. Cartwright is 2-0 since replacing Tim Floyd, who resigned last week.
"I thought we were fortunate with Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen out for Milwaukee, but we earned the victory," Cartwright said.
The Bulls have their first two-game winning streak since April, when they beat New Jersey and Philadelphia on the road.
"Not taking anything away from Tim Floyd, but the guys are playing with more intensity," Fizer said. "We are playing really hard."
Milwaukee (18-10) was without Allen and Robinson, its leading scorers, who are sidelined with injuries.
Sam Cassell scored 28 to lead the Bucks, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
Milwaukee was assessed four technical fouls in the fourth quarter and played the final 2:12 without coach George Karl, who was ejected by referee Marc Davis for arguing calls.
"I'm not criticizing the referees, other than saying it was a poorly officiated game," Karl said. "They took away three fast breaks from us in a row. I've never even had that happen to me in the CBA.
"Still, we've got to learn how to win a poorly officiated game."
Heat 89, Pacers 87
Indianapolis Alonzo Mourning made a hook shot with 47.2 seconds left, and Eddie Jones scored 29 points to lead the Miami Heat to an 89-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Mourning, who finished with 19 points, scored over Jermaine O'Neal to snap the Heat's six-game losing streak.
Miami, which trailed by five point with less than 5 minutes remaining, used a 15-9 run to clinch its first victory since Dec. 15.
The Pacers led 79-77 after Jalen Rose hit baseline jumper with 2:40 remaining. Mourning then hit a 13-footer with 2:15 left, tying the score at 79.
On the Heat's next possession, Mourning battled with O'Neal for possession and scored over O'Neal's outstretched arm.
The Heat sealed the win from the free throw line. Rose and Reggie Miller hit 3-pointers for the Pacers in the final minute.
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