Indianapolis ? Jason Kidd returned to being dominant and helped the New Jersey Nets even their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers.

Kidd, who acknowledged he had been outplayed by Indiana’s Anthony Johnson the first three games of the Eastern Conference series, had a strong all-around game with 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals Saturday to lead the Nets to a 97-88 victory in Game 4. New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank said though Johnson had played well, he liked his point guard.

“Jason’s been great,” he said. “Jason’s value has nothing to do with the box score. Jason, you feel his presence. Jason imposes his will on the game, and that’s what he did today. Give me Jason Kidd any day of the week.”

The Pacers finished with 23 turnovers which led to 23 New Jersey points. Johnson, who had 12 points, four assists and six turnovers, said he became overzealous while trying to help the Pacers come back from a double-digit deficit.

“Playing from behind against those guys is not the recipe for success,” he said. “We didn’t give ourselves a chance with those turnovers. Instead of being patient, I got myself into trouble. I got too deep trying to make plays that weren’t there.”

Clippers 100, Nuggets 86

Denver – Los Angeles ended a 13-year road playoff drought and moved within a victory of the franchise’s first series victory in 30 years. Corey Maggette finished with 19 points, and Elton Brand had 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Los Angeles. The Clippers shot 62 percent in the first half and matched the offense with stifling defense in the second.

New Jersey's Nenad Krstic, left, shoots over Indiana's Jeff Forster. The Nets defeated the Pacers, 97-88, on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Bucks 124, Pistons 104

Milwaukee – Michael Redd scored 40 points, and T.J. Ford had a career-high 15 assists to lead Milwaukee. The Bucks set a season high for points by an opponent against the Pistons, who still lead the Eastern Conference series 2-1. Game 4 is on Monday night in Milwaukee.

The young Bucks needed a win in a postseason game after having just three victories over the last five years and being blown out in the first two games in Detroit.

Mavericks 94, Grizzlies 89, OT

Memphis, Tenn. – Dirk Nowitzki scored 36 points, including a three-pointer to send the game into overtime and six points in the extra period, to lead Dallas over Memphis Grizzlies for a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.

Dallas outscored Memphis 18-13 in overtime.