EAST RUTHERORD, N.J. (AP) Troubled forward Eddie Griffin said Sunday he has agreed to play for the New Jersey Nets.

Griffin, released Friday by the Houston Rockets, quickly found a new home with the team that originally drafted him.

``I've decided to go play for the Nets,'' Griffin said in an interview with Houston television station KRIV. ``I'm excited about going to play for (Nets head coach) Byron Scott and playing with (Nets guard) Jason Kidd. It's just going to be an exciting thing for me and I can't wait.''

New Jersey president Rod Thorn said Saturday that the Nets were in the running to sign Griffin, who played at nearby Seton Hall. Thorn did not return a telephone call Sunday night.

Griffin said he had already received calls from Scott, Kidd and Richard Jefferson welcoming him to the team.

The Nets have not had a consistent contributor off the bench this season and Griffin, the seventh pick in the 2001 draft, could fill that role. But New Jersey is taking a chance by signing a player who brings considerable legal baggage.

Griffin was charged in November with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a woman accused him of hitting her three times in the face and shooting at her as she drove away from his home before dawn on Oct. 25. He will be arraigned on the charge Jan. 14.

A second misdemeanor charge of assault related to the same encounter was dismissed last week.

A separate case involving a charge of marijuana possession is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 20.

Griffin hopes to start with a clean slate in New Jersey, although he is uncertain when he will be able to join the Nets because of his legal problems.

``New Jersey was the best fit for me,'' Griffin said. ``I can get the most opportunity there. I felt like that's the team I fit in at.''

Griffin said a number of teams, including Detroit, Toronto, Philadelphia and Orlando, were in the running. He said he will sign for the balance of the season and again become a free agent.

``It feels good,'' Griffin said. ``It's a relief just to know where I'm going. I just got to get everything else behind me and I am ready to get back on the court.''

The 6-foot-10, 232-pound forward averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.63 blocks in 150 career games with the Rockets.

Drafted by New Jersey, Griffin's rights were traded to the Rockets for three first-round draft picks _ Jefferson, Brandon Armstrong and Jason Collins.

Several teams are interested in signing recently0released and troubled forward Eddie Griffin.

It is said that the Knicks, Nets, Raptors, Pistons, and Heat are interested.

In fact, Nets president Rod Thorn has offered Griffin a contract likely for one year at the league minimum.

"We've talked to everybody we need to," Thorn said of a background check on Griffin. "We've done our due diligence regarding him. He's an introverted kid, obviously. He doesn't do a whole bunch of talking, but we feel he has a chance to be a very good player. You don't find guys with that size and that kind of talent."

New Knicks president Isiah Thomas is also interested but won't say whether or not he would be contacting Griffin's agent, Arn Tellum.

Thorn excepts Griffin to make a decision early this week.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Rick Carlisle ripped Ron Artest and the Indiana Pacers following a loss to the New Jersey Nets, calling them an immature team who stole money from the paying customers Saturday night.

"We're young and we're immature as hell," Carlisle said after he was ejected during the Pacers' 82-75 loss to the Nets. "And we don't understand what we've got sitting right here in our hands. We're unwilling to reach out and grab it."

Jason Kidd had 16 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for his NBA-leading sixth triple-double of the season and second in a row, but Carlisle was more disappointed with his team's lack of effort and leadership.

Artest played uninspired in the first half and argued with Carlisle on the bench and in the locker room, prompting Carlisle to bench him for the entire second half.

"Ron Artest did not play in the second half for conduct detrimental to winning," Carlisle said. "Part of it occurred on the court, part of it occurred at halftime.

"As a coach, there's times where you've got to make a stand and there's times when the soul of the team is more important than one guy's particular agenda," Carlisle said.

"I've lived here too long, I know how these people in this state and this city feel about this game, and to watch one guy ... compromise what the game's all about is gut-wrenching and unacceptable," he said. "I will not accept it."

Artest fired back, criticizing Carlisle's offensive system.

"He calls all the plays. It's not easy to play in a set every time," Artest said. "I feel like I can play. If they don't want me to play here, I can go play somewhere else."

It was the first big problem Artest has presented this season after being suspended for a total of 12 games and fined $155,000 last season.

Indiana used a 13-0 run to pull within three in the fourth quarter, but the Nets never let the Pacers tie it.

"Eighteen-thousand, three-hundred forty-five people came in here tonight to see the team play the right way from start to finish, and they got gypped. They got their money stolen tonight. Nothing makes me more ashamed than that," Carlisle said.

Kenyon Martin added 23 points and 13 rebounds for the surging Nets, who won for the ninth time in 11 games.

Kidd had 24 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in Friday night's win over Detroit.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this was the third time Kidd had triple-doubles on consecutive nights. He also did it Dec. 17-18, 1999, and Jan. 12-13, 1996.

Nets coach Byron Scott said the win showed that that New Jersey is still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

It was a much different mood in the Pacers' locker room after Indiana dropped its second game in a row for the first time this season.

Miller and O'Neal also drew technical fouls for arguing.

"I was hired to bring this team to a championship level," said Carlisle, who is in his first year as coach of the Pacers. "I'm here to tell everybody right now, it can't happen unless 12 guys in uniform, three guys on the injured list, four coaches are doing things the right way."

The Nets led 75-59 with under six minutes to play before the Pacers closed the gap to three points on Al Harrington's layup.

The sellout crowd erupted when Reggie Miller hit a 3-pointer with 1:01 to play that made it 77-75. But Richard Jefferson responded with a jumper and Kidd added three free throws and a timely steal from Miller to seal the win.

"I'm proud of our guys who played in the second half and hung in there," Carlisle said.

Jefferson added 20 points and six rebounds for New Jersey.

Harrington led Indiana with 22 points, and Jermaine O'Neal and Austin Croshere each had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

"I'm disappointed also with the leadership of the team," Carlisle said. "It's one thing for me to make a stand, but the guys in the locker room have to make a stand as well. No one guy is bigger than this team. No one guy is bigger than this franchise."

Game notes
Miller recently passed Charles Barkley for 14th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Before the game, Barkley delivered a tearful, tongue-in-cheek congratulatory message on the arena's big screen. "Reggie, congratulations for passing me, I'm glad you are finally getting the respect you deserve and I love you," he said. ... O'Neal received a technical foul with 9:04 to play in the first quarter for arguing an offensive foul call. ... Nets F Aaron Williams missed his fifth straight game with a pulled groin.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the third quarter of Saturday night's game against the New Jersey Nets.

Carlisle became infuriated when referee Scott Wall called Jermaine O'Neal for a foul on Nets point guard Jason Kidd with 3:54 to play in the third quarter.

Carlisle crossed the halfcourt line and berated Wall with profanity as Austin Croshere restrained him, prompting the official to issue two quick technical fouls.

Several Pacers argued with all three officials throughout the game. O'Neal drew a technical foul in the first quarter.

"The Nets and Knicks are among the teams lining up hoping to sign (Eddie) Griffin, the 6-10 problem player recently released by the Rockets."

It is said that at least seven teams are willing to take a chance on Griffin.

If he is signed, Griffin would likely get a one-year deal for the league minimum.

New Jersey at Indiana (8 p.m. EST) Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference meet when Jason Kidd and the Nets visit Ron Artest and the Pacers.

STARS

Friday

_Jason Kidd, Nets, had 24 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds for his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season in New Jersey's 82-79 win over Detroit.

_Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets, scored a career-high 37 points in Denver's 95-94 win over Houston

_Eddie Jones, Heat, had 22 points and 8 assists in Miami's 92-84 win over the Washington Wizards.

_Paul Pierce, Celtics, had 27 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in a 104-102 win over Phoenix.

_Jamal Crawford, Bulls, scored 30 points in Chicago's 87-80 win over Cleveland.

_Keith Van Horn, Knicks, had 28 points and 13 rebounds in New York's 98-94 win over Memphis.

BEATING THE BEST

The three game winning-streak that bumped Milwaukee over the .500 mark has come against the top three teams in the Eastern Conference: Indiana, New Jersey, and Detroit. The Bucks defeated the Pacers 101-96 on Friday night.

PUTTING ON THE CLAMPS

Golden State snapped a 15-game losing streak against Sacramento with a 98-91 victory over the Kings on Friday night. The game also marked the first time in 16 games that an opponent had held the Kings under 100 points.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal had 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 101-96 loss to Milwaukee on Friday night. ... Orlando's Tracy McGrady had 24 points and eight rebounds in a 98-83 loss to San Antonio. ... Toronto's Jalen Rose had 18 points and eight assists in a 97-94 overtime loss to Utah. ... Minnesota's Kevin Garnett had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in a 101-92 loss to Portland.

GOLDEN

With a 95-94 win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, Denver has won 10 of its last 12 at home. Rookie Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with a career-high 37 points against the Rockets.

SPEAKING

``I'm not trying to fill up the stat sheet. I'm just trying to make the play that presents itself.'' _ New Jersey's Jason Kidd, who notched his league-leading fifth triple-double of the season with a 24-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound performance in an 82-79 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

___

``It's hard when your team is playing as hard as the other team and you don't get the same consideration when it comes to the whistle being blown.'' _ Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on the 24-17 foul disparity between the Bucks and the Pacers in Milwaukee's 101-96 victory Friday night.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) They have gone through a slump, injuries and illness. They have faced questions about their coach's future and witnessed a locker-room meltdown by Jason Kidd.

Not surprisingly, the New Jersey Nets have developed a dark sense of humor.

With back-to-back road games against Detroit and Indiana after Christmas, Kidd was asked about playing for Pistons coach Larry Brown during Olympic qualifying last summer.

Before he could say a word, Richard Jefferson offered the wisdom of his two-plus NBA seasons.

``Be careful what you say: He could be our coach in a couple of weeks,'' Jefferson said.

``OK,'' Kidd said with a smile. ``My adviser. Thank you. I appreciate that.''

The lightheartedness underscored how things have changed for the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions.

After a 7-11 start, the Nets (14-13) have won seven of nine and moved into first place in Atlantic Division.

``We're been playing much better basketball,'' guard Kerry Kittles said. ``But, hey, it's a long season.''

The rough times started with the release of center Dikembe Mutombo in training camp. There were injuries to Kidd (knee) and Kenyon Martin (ankle). Top reserve Lucious Harris (back) and Rodney Rogers (thumb) were knocked out of the lineup for weeks.

Martin made some cracks about Alonzo Mourning's kidney illness and the two nearly fought. Mourning, who was signed before the season, had to retire and received a transplanted kidney last week.

Then came the 47-point loss at Memphis and the locker-room spat that seemed to put Kidd and coach Byron Scott at serious odds. Scott already was under scrutiny for his coaching in the deciding game of the NBA Finals against San Antonio. But Scott survived and the Nets are beginning to look like the team of old.

``The last couple of weeks we've outrebounded teams, our turnovers are down and now we are starting to shoot the ball a little bit better,'' Kidd said.

The Nets also picked up their defense and are running again. In their seven wins, they held opponents to 39.8 percent shooting.

``The only thing that I think is holding us back now is injuries,'' Scott said. ``We've gotten back that mentality of being prepared, being aggressive and getting after guys.''

While Kidd and Rogers are feeling better, centers Jason Collins (knee) and Aaron Williams (groin), Harris (ankle) and Martin (ankle) are banged up entering this two-game road trip.

``We're just trying to get back on track,'' Kidd said. ``We're not trying to send a message. We know we are capable of playing with the best.''

Jefferson said the Nets will make their point in the playoffs, as they did a year ago in ripping off 10 straight wins.

``Come April, I am not going to remember whether we lost two or three games in a row,'' Jefferson said.

Scott likes the cockiness but worries about hitting the playoff switch. He would rather see more consistency now.

``Having a 10-game winning streak in the playoffs can be a curse,'' Scott said. ``Now you have guys who think we can mess around all regular season long and then when the playoffs start think we'll be ready.''

Kidd thinks the Nets will be ready, and knows he will be. Spending a few hours with Mourning on Sunday made sure of that.

``He shared some stuff about Lance Armstrong that was eye opening,'' Kidd said. ``Sometimes you need those types of experiences to help you regain the edge and not be complacent.''

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) Brandon Armstrong was activated Friday by the New Jersey Nets, who put Tamar Slay on the injured list with a strained groin.

Armstrong averaged three points in 14 games before he was placed on the injured list on Dec. 12 with a sprained left ankle. Slay averaged 2.9 points in nine games.

The New Jersey Nets could be a step closer to Brooklyn.

Yesterday, the leading bidder for the team, developer Bruce C. Ratner, increased his his $275 million offer by millions of dollars, this according to two executives involved in the sale process.

Ratner wants to buy the Nets and move them to Brooklyn as part of a $2.5 billion commercial and residential development project.

"Ratner is vying with Charles Kushner and Senator Jon S. Corzine, of New Jersey, who have bid $267.5 million, and Stuart Feldman, who has offered $257.5 million."

Mourning received a cousin's kidney in a procedure at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia. The hospital released a statement deeming the surgery ''successful.'' The statement said Mourning and the donor, whose identify was not specified, ''are stable and in good condition following their procedures.'' Dr. Mark Hardy performed the transplant, and Dr. Marc Bessler removed the kidney from the donor.