CLEVELAND - The New Jersey Nets look to stay unbeaten under coach Lawrence Frank as they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers.

New Jersey posted its ninth straight win — eighth in a row under Frank — after rallying to beat Detroit 89-78 on Tuesday night.

Richard Jefferson had 27 points and 10 rebounds to give Frank an 8-0 start since replacing Byron Scott more than two weeks ago, tying Pistons coach Larry Brown for the second-best mark to start a career in NBA history.

Frank is one win shy of Kurt Rambis (Los Angeles Lakers, 1998-99) and Buddy Jeannette (Baltimore Bullets, 1947-48).

Frank will get a chance to tie the record on Wednesday against LeBron James and the Cavaliers at Gund Arena.

“He doesn’t care about that,” said Jason Kidd, who added 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 43 minutes. “He wants to win. He doesn’t care about going undefeated. He wants to win every time we go on the floor.”

Cleveland is now just 2½ games behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. James scored 24 points in the Cavs’ 97-89 win over Boston on Monday night.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 19 points and 16 rebounds as Cleveland also broke a 13-game slide against the Celtics. The Cavs hadn’t defeated Boston since Nov. 4, 2000.

Just 6-18 before the Dec. 15 trade, Cleveland is 14-14 since trading Ricky Davis to the Celtics. Boston, a .500 team before the trade, has since lost 18 of 29.

“Since the trade, LeBron has taken it upon himself to do what’s necessary if we need a win,” Cleveland coach Paul Silas said.