Nets Clinch Playoff Berth With Win Over Rockets

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets clinched a playoff berth by beating the Houston Rockets for the first time in eight years, getting 32 points from Joe Johnson in a 105-96 victory on Tuesday night.

Shaun Livingston added 17 points for the Nets, who extended their home winning streak to 14 games, longest in their NBA history and tops in the league this season. They also pulled within 1½ games of Toronto and Chicago for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Nets ended a 14-game skid against Houston with their first victory in the series since March 13, 2006. The Nets hadn't defeated the Rockets at home since March 31, 2003, when they were still playing in East Rutherford, N.J.

*Note: Jason Kidd was honored prior to the game as the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for March. The Nets went 12-4 in the month. It was the second time this season that Kidd won the award. He also won in January.