Frank Improves to 8-0 With Nets

Even a little adversity isn’t too much for the New Jersey Nets to overcome under new Coach Lawrence Frank.

Richard Jefferson had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and the Nets posted their ninth consecutive victory -- eighth in a row under Frank, rallying to defeat the visiting Detroit Pistons, 89-78, on Tuesday night.

The Nets trailed by 13 points after the first quarter, and Frank scolded his team.

“He had a legit gripe,” Kenyon Martin said.

Frank, however, downplayed it all.

“Our guys did a terrific job, mixing up man and zone coverage,” Frank said. “They really worked their tails off.”

Frank’s 8-0 start is tied for the second-best in NBA history with Piston Coach Larry Brown.

New Jersey used a 14-0 second-quarter run to get back into the game and held the Pistons to five points in the final 7 minutes 20 seconds. Detroit lost its fourth in a row. Chauncey Billups led Detroit with 23 points.

*

Sacramento 124, Milwaukee 117 -- Peja Stojakovic had 31 points and sank all four of his free throws in the final 20 seconds to help the Kings hold off the Bucks at Milwaukee.

The Bucks took a 115-114 lead on Michael Redd’s layup with a 1:02 left, but Vlade Divac’s 15-foot jump shot gave the Kings the lead for good 20 seconds later and sparked a game-ending 10-2 run.

Desmond Mason and Toni Kukoc each scored 21 points off the bench for Milwaukee.

*

Dallas 105, New York 90 -- Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 12 rebounds at Dallas as the Mavericks used an 18-6 run over the final 5 1/2 minutes to end the Knicks’ season-high five-game winning streak. Stephon Marbury had 24 points and 11 assists for New York.

*

Utah 86, Portland 81 -- Carlos Arroyo scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 consecutive free throws down the stretch, in a victory at Portland, Ore.

Derek Anderson had 21 points for Portland, which had a three-game winning streak ended in its first game since Rasheed Wallace’s Monday night trade to Atlanta.

*

Toronto 101, Phoenix 94 -- Vince Carter scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half, and Morris Peterson matched his career high with seven three-point baskets at Phoenix. Amare Stoudemire had 23 points for the Suns, who have lost four in a row, all at home.

*

Golden State 106, Seattle 97 -- Jason Richardson had 22 points, and the Warriors outscored the SuperSonics 9-4 over the final 3:36 at Seattle. Rashard Lewis had 20 points for the SuperSonics.

*

Indiana 103, Chicago 84 -- Ron Artest had 26 points at Chicago to lead the Pacers to their 39th win, the most in the NBA before the All-Star break.