RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

CLEVELAND (AP) _ Kerry Kittles scored 18 points and sparked New Jersey on an 18-2 spurt to start the second half as the Nets routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-74 Saturday night.

Kittles scored 13 points _ including consecutive 3-pointers _ in the first quarter as the Nets opened a 30-17 lead. He had five points in New Jersey's decisive run to open the third quarter.

Cleveland scored a season-low nine points for a quarter in the third as New Jersey opened a 73-52 advantage.

Stephon Marbury also scored 18 points and Johnny Newman had 17 for New Jersey, which won for just the fourth time in its last 30 games in Cleveland. New Jersey has won five of its last seven games.

The Nets got their largest margin of victory for the season despite All-Star forward Keith Van Horn playing just 13 minutes because of foul trouble. Van Horn had four points, all in New Jersey's run to open the second half.

It was the Nets' second victory over Cleveland this week. New Jersey had won, 111-101, at home Wednesday night despite 36 points by the Cavs' Shawn Kemp.

This time, Kemp scored just 14 to lead Cleveland. Bob Sura had 12 points as the Cavaliers shot just 36 percent from the field.

Cleveland, coming off a 99-86 loss Friday night in Charlotte, got its running game in gear early to take a 15-12 lead.

Newman then entered the game and hit two quick jump shots to spark New Jersey on a 18-2 run to end the quarter.

Notes: Danny Ferry returned to the Cleveland lineup, but left in the second quarter after re-injuring a strained left calf that had caused him to miss three games. ... Nets forward Kendall Gill left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle, but returned to play in the third quarter and finished with six points. ... The Nets have won two straight in the series after losing 12 of 13. ... Cleveland leads the all-time series, 63-46, including 41-15 at home.