EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? Tim Duncan not only beat the Nets again, he made them play scared.

That was the assessment of New Jersey coach Byron Scott after the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions lost to Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, 85-71, Wednesday night in their first meeting since the NBA Finals.

“It’s the first time we played that way, just scared to play,” Scott said after the Nets lost for the fifth time in eight games.

“I don’t know if it’s because we didn’t get off to a good start playing a team that has all its weapons. They want to get back on track, and it looked like we were scared to play the way we’re capable of playing.”

Duncan had much to do with that with a season-high 31 points and 12 rebounds to overshadow a 14-point, 13-assist, 12-rebound triple-double by Nets guard Jason Kidd.

Kidd, who spurned a free-agent offer from the Spurs in the offseason, deferred to Scott on whether the Nets played scared.

“He has a better view than I do,” Kidd said. “If that’s what he sees, if that’s the case, we’ve got to find some way to get the enjoyment back into the game and have some fun and not make it such a struggle.”

Lakers 94, Raptors 79

Los Angeles — Shaquille O’Neal had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Los Angeles kept Toronto winless on the road. The Lakers received 17 points from Karl Malone.

Warriors 87, Pistons 85 (OT)

Oakland, Calif. — Calbert Cheaney hit two big shots in overtime while scoring a season-high 24 points in Golden State’s victory.

Hawks 99, Suns 94

Phoenix — Dion Glover scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help Atlanta to its first victory in Phoenix in nearly 12 years. Stephen Jackson had 18, Jason Terry scored 17 and Shareef Abdur-Rahim added 16 for the Hawks.

Bulls 89, Celtics 82

Boston — Jalen Rose scored 20 points and Eddy Curry added 16 points and 14 rebounds as Chicago defeated Boston for its third road victory, matching its total from last season.

Grizzlies 107, Magic 97

Orlando, Fla. — Memphis withstood a season-high 36 points from Tracy McGrady and handed Orlando its seventh consecutive loss.

Forwards Pau Gasol and James Posey had 28 and 24 points, leading the Grizzlies to their second road win of the season.

Heat 88, Cavaliers 83

Miami — Eddie Jones scored 25 points and Lamar Odom added 14 points and 10 assists, helping Miami become the final NBA team to break into the victory column. LeBron James had 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting for Cleveland, which lost its 26th straight road game.

Sonics 104, Bucks 99

Milwaukee — Rashard Lewis had 31 points and nine rebounds to lead Seattle. Lewis, the league’s second-leading scorer, was 12-of-19 from the field as Seattle improved to 3-0 on the road.

Hornets 96, Jazz 89

New Orleans — Baron Davis had 23 points and nine assists, helping New Orleans snap a two-game losing streak.