Whether they will win more than the 26 games they won last year remains a mystery. But it appears the Nets will be good deal more watchable.

The Jason Kidd Traveling Salvation Show worked out a few more of the kinks last night, but the Nets still dropped a 90-85 decision to the Knicks in an exhibition game at Nassau Coliseum.

The point guard bounced back from a horrid shooting night Tuesday against Charlotte to lead the Nets' charge with 17 points and five assists while center Todd MacCulloch, another newcomer who had a horrid night against the Hornets, responded with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

In fact, four of the Nets' starters registered double figures in scoring. Kenyon Martin finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots while Keith Van Horn, despite missing 11 of his 14 shots, finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. Kerry Kittles was the only Nets starter who didn't score at least 10 points. He finished with nine and did not play in the final quarter.

Allan Houston led the Knicks with 18 points while Othella Harrington added 16.

"I thought Jason was back to Jason," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "A couple too many turnovers (four), but other than that, he was just trying to make the right plays. ... I thought we played a better game than we did the first game, and that's all I'm looking for. I want us to improve each and every game."

Kidd showed every bit of what