Nets make quick work of Celtics, reach East final

BOSTON -- The New Jersey Nets needed 10 extra minutes to avoid another game with the Boston Celtics.

Jason Kidd scored 29 points as the Nets completed a sweep of the Eastern Conference semifinal with a 110-101 win in double overtime Monday night.

They'll play in the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year against Detroit or Philadelphia. That series, tied 2-2, resumes Wednesday night.

New Jersey swept a best-of-seven series for the first time after being swept in seven of them, including last year's NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was only the third time Boston was swept, and the first in a seven-game series in 20 years.

The Celtics had a chance to win in the first overtime, but Paul Pierce missed a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded with the score 97-97.

Richard Jefferson and Eric Williams traded baskets in the second overtime before Kerry Kittles' 3-pointer put the Nets ahead to stay, 102-99, with 3:56 to go. Williams' basket was Boston's only one of the second overtime as the Nets outscored the Celtics 13-4.

Kidd added 10 rebounds and nine assists, while Kenyon Martin finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. For Boston, Pierce had 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Tony Delk scored 23, a career playoff high.

Jackson rejoins Lakers

An upbeat Phil Jackson rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, two days after undergoing a heart procedure, and he will coach in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs.

"I'm feeling good, I feel like a new man, actually," Jackson told reporters before the Lakers flew to San Antonio for tonight's game at SBC Center.

The Western Conference best-of-seven semifinal is tied 2-2.

"We're back in the hunt in the playoffs with a team that's rejuvenated, and I've got a new lease on life," Jackson said. "The biggest thing is moving forward from here. You have the energy, the resolve, to move on."

Jackson, 57, underwent an angioplasty Saturday to open his left anterior artery, which was over 90 percent blocked. He was released from Centinela Hospital Medical Center on Sunday morning but watched the Lakers' 99-95 victory over the Spurs on television.

Cavs pursue Van Gundy

The Cleveland Cavaliers asked the New York Knicks for permission to talk to Jeff Van Gundy about being their next coach, a source said Monday.

Van Gundy, who abruptly resigned last season as coach of the Knicks and remains under contract with the club until July 31, is at the top of the Cavs' wish list, the NBA source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Hill tears calf muscle

Forward Tyrone Hill will miss the rest of Philadelphia's second-round series against Detroit because of a torn right calf muscle.

Hill will be out three-to-four weeks, meaning he could return only if the 76ers reach the NBA Finals. The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal is 2-2 with Game 5 on Thursday night in Detroit.

Hill was injured with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter of Game 4 on Sunday night.

-- From wire reports