Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Richard Jefferson scored 25 points as New Jersey downed Miami, 94-85, at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Josh Boone added 15 points for the Nets, who have won two straight games after dropping their previous nine. Vince Carter chipped in with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Jason Kidd had 11 points and 12 assists for New Jersey, which snapped a seven-game skid on the road.

Dwyane Wade returned from a bout with the flu to score 15 points for the hapless Heat, who have dropped three in a row and 18 of their last 19 games. Mark Blount and Alexander Johnson both finished with 14 points, while Jason Williams had 12.

New Jersey entered the fourth quarter with a 10-point advantage and were never seriously threatened. Dorell Wright knocked down a jumper to draw the Heat within seven points, 72-65, with just over 10 minutes to go.

But, any momentum was quickly stymied when Antoine Wright dropped in a three at the other end. Moments later Jefferson stuck a jumper and the Nets had a 79-67 cushion with just 7:07 to go.

The Heat made one last push and Williams made it 88-79 by draining a three with 3:45 left.

That was as close as Miami would make it, however, as they just couldn't sustain any consistency on the offensive end.

The Nets took a slim 23-21 edge after the opening 12 minutes.

New Jersey then used a stifling defense to hold the Heat to 10 points in the second quarter. Jefferson capped the scoring in the frame with a jumper to give the Nets a 43-31 advantage heading into the locker room.

The offenses picked up a bit in the third quarter but Miami couldn't make much headway and entered the final frame trailing 70-60.