EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey – The New Jersey Nets were pounded into NBA infamy on Wednesday night, falling 117-101 to the Dallas Mavericks for their 18th straight loss to start the season.
The 0-18 record is the worst ever start to an NBA season, surpassing the 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1999 Los Angeles Clippers, who both dropped their first 17 games.
Dallas made 17 of 19 shots and opened a 27-point lead in a nearly flawless second quarter, burying the Nets early. The Mavericks shot 81 percent in the first half, the first NBA team to make 80 percent of its shots in a half since 2006.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points, and former Nets star Jason Kidd had 16 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Dallas.
Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 24 points for the Nets.
In Cleveland, Shaquille O’Neal scored 12 points against his former team, helping Cleveland down Phoenix, 107-90.
O’Neal added nine rebounds in 21 minutes, while LeBron James just missed a triple double for the Cavs, finishing with 12 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Cleveland ce nter Zydrunas Ilgauskas set the club record for games played with 724.
Channing Frye scored 22 points for Phoenix.
In Atlanta, the hosts posted their biggest score in 16 years, thrashing Toronto, 146-115.
Al Horford had 24 points to lead nine scorers in double figures – their most in a game since 1987.
Toronto’s Chris Bosh had a season-low two points in only 16 minutes on court.
In Orlando, Florida, Rashard Lewis scored 17 of his 20 points in Orlando’s 41-point third quarter that sank New York, 118-104.
Dwight Howard added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, which has nine wins from ten games.
Wilson Chandler had 24 points for the Knicks.
In Los Angeles, Aaron Brooks made his first eight shots and finished with 22 points as Houston downed Los Angeles, 102-85.
Chase Budinger added 19 points for the Rockets.
The Clippers were led by Al Thornton’s 19 points.
In Washington, Earl Boykins scored 11 of his 13 points in the final 10 minutes, including the winning free throws with a second left, as Washington edged Milwaukee, 104-102.
Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 22 points.
Luke Ridnour and Hakim Warrick each scored 20 points for Milwaukee.
In Oklahoma City, Philadelphia slumped to its eighth straight loss, beaten by Oklahoma City, 117-106.
Kevin Durant scored 33 points and Jeff Green added 19 for the Thunder.
Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia with 28 points. Earlier Wednesday, the 76ers signed 10-time All-Star Allen Iverson.
In Sacramento, California, Sacramento won its fourth straight, taking a tight contest against Indiana, 110-105.
Tyreke Evans scored 26 points and Jason Thompson added 22 points for the Kings, who were 7 of 10 from 3-point range in the second half.
Danny Granger made six 3-pointers and scored 33 points for the Pacers, who have lost three straight.
In Chicago, the hosts snapped a five-game losing skid by prevailing in a defensive showdown against Detroit, 92-85.
John Salmons scored 22 points, and Derrick Rose added 19 for the Bulls. (AP)