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BOSTON - Jason Kidd swished a 3-pointer with a second left and the sweep assured - a little highlight for the Celtics to remember what a great player he is.
As if they needed to be reminded.
The shot finished off the New Jersey Nets' 110-101 double-overtime win as they eliminated the Celtics in four games in the Eastern Conference semifinal Monday night.
"To come and sweep the Boston Celtics is just history in itself," Kidd said. "They've had so many talented teams."
But they haven't won an NBA title since 1986, when they got their 16th, and they were knocked out one round earlier than last year, when they lost to the Nets in a six-game conference final.
Kidd finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and words of praise from the opposition.
"Jason Kidd is a great player," Boston coach Jim O'Brien said. "He's the best passer I've ever seen in my life."
Added Eric Williams: "He's probably the best player ... right now. He takes all 12 of those guys and makes them like superstars."
Kidd was able to block out the taunts of fans who, for the second straight game, yelled "wife beater" just as they did during last year's playoff games in Boston.
Boston had a chance to win in the first overtime, but Paul Pierce missed a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded to remain tied at 97.
Richard Jefferson and Williams traded baskets in the second overtime before Kerry Kittles' 3-pointer put the Nets ahead to stay at 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.
Late in regulation, Williams tied the score at 90 by making his first free throw, but he missed a potential winner on his second shot. Jefferson rebounded with 16 seconds to play, but New Jersey couldn't capitalize.
In related news, the league ruled that it will not discipline Celtics forward Antoine Walker for confronting a fan during the team's Game 3 loss in Boston.
Jackson back with LakersEL SEGUNDO, Calif. - An upbeat Phil Jackson rejoined the Lakers, two days after having a heart procedure, and will coach in Game 5 tonight at San Antonio.
"I'm feeling good, I feel like a new man, actually," Jackson said.
The Western Conference best-of-seven semifinal is tied at 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.
He had an angioplasty Saturday to open his left anterior artery, which was more than 90 percent blocked.
BROWN WANTS MJ: He admits it is a wish, but Larry Brown wants Michael Jordan to join the Philadelphia 76ers, so much so that he is willing to hand Jordan his title as vice president of player personnel.
Jordan could not be reached for comment, but the 76ers coach had plenty to say about his fellow North Carolina Tar Heel, who was dismissed from the Washington Wizards last week.
In Brown's estimation, Jordan could have a huge impact on Allen Iverson and the rest of the players, and would help him become a better coach.
76ERS LOSE HILL: Forward Tyrone Hill will miss the rest of the second-round series against Detroit because of a torn right calf muscle. He will be out 3-4 weeks. In other 76ers news, police interviewed guard Allen Iverson about a shooting that left one of his friends wounded outside a nightclub last month. Police said Iverson was candid and said he had no idea what led to the shooting.
CAVS: The team asked the Knicks for permission to talk to Jeff Van Gundy about its coaching job, the Associated Press reported.
EARLY ENTRIES: High school standout Kendrick Perkins, known as "Baby Shaq," made himself eligible for the draft. Perkins, a 6-11, 290-pound center out of Beaumont, Texas, has signed a letter of intent to attend Memphis. ... San Jose State freshman forward Antonio Lawrence, the team's leading rebounder, made himself eligible.