The game was on the line yesterday, and Jason Kidd was where he virtually never is in such a situation: on the bench.

"Jason's got a bad Achilles and he's fighting the flu," coach Larry Brown said.

Kidd's right Achilles problem isn't serious, according to Nets and Team USA trainer Tim Walsh, despite the fact the star had the same problem during the season.

"He irritated it in the first game [last week] but it felt much better," said Walsh, who added that Kidd "pinched" the tendon Monday night. "I don't think it's anything to be concerned with and I don't think he'll miss any games."

Brown said he kept Mike Bibby in the game for outside-shooting purposes, noting Kidd could have returned to play in the 94-86 win over Argentina.