Pacers top Nets in N.J.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Anthony Johnson was nothing more than Jason Kidd’s backup when he played for New Jersey. On Sunday he backed up his new reputation – as one of the Indiana Pacers’ most dependable players.

Johnson made two free throws with 0.9 seconds left and played tough defense on Kidd, and the Pacers beat the Nets 90-88 to take Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

“Anthony Johnson is a guy you can count on,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “There are guys on your roster you know are going to be ready to play and take care of themselves and be professional, knowledgeable, they like the game. He is one of those guys who fits that description.”

Jermaine O’Neal scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter for the sixth-seeded Pacers, who became the first road team to win a game in this postseason. Game 2 is Tuesday night at Continental Airlines Arena.

Stephen Jackson scored 18 points and reserve Fred Jones added 15 for the Pacers, who forced Vince Carter and Kidd, two of New Jersey’s “Big Three,” into horrible shooting nights.

Johnson, Kidd’s understudy in New Jersey when the Nets made consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002-03, finished with 12 points and six assists.

“Everyone wants to label guys, label me as a backup point guard, a guy that can’t get it done,” Johnson said. “Those are the opportunities where you have to step up and make it happen.”

Johnson, who has played for six teams, was supposed to be the third-stringer on the Pacers after they signed Sarunas Jasikevicius in the summer. But with Jamaal Tinsley injured, Johnson has emerged as the starter, and one of the players most responsible for helping the Pacers make a late run to grab a playoff spot.

Carter had 31 points and 13 rebounds, but shot 12 of 33 from the field. Kidd was only 2 of 11 for five points for the Nets, the Atlantic Division champions.

“I had a double negative tonight,” Carter said. “I couldn’t hit a jump shot or make a layup.”

Nenad Krstic scored 22 points and Richard Jefferson added 19 for the Nets, who fell to 3-12 in first-round Game 1s.

Carter’s follow dunk tied the game at 88 with 32 seconds left, and the Pacers worked the clock down before Austin Croshere took a jumper from the corner that was short. The ball came back to him and he got it out to Johnson, who drove into the lane and was fouled while taking a shot that went in and out.

The foul was called on Krstic, but Johnson thought it was on Kidd. Johnson said it was a foul – “No ifs, ands or buts” – but the Nets weren’t so sure.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t come up with the rebound and you like for players to decide the game, but you have to give Anthony credit for making the two free throws,” Nets coach Lawrence Frank said.

“I haven’t seen a replay yet, but the foul on Krstic seemed like a really hard call.”