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Kidd, Carter lead Nets past Clippers

Mar 19, 2007 - 3:04 AM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets wanted to continue their domination of the Los Angeles Clippers at home.

Kidd had 23 points, 13 assists and six steals as the Nets posted a 101-95 victory over the Clippers, their eighth straight home win in the series.

Vince Carter scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Richard Jefferson added 18 and a season-high 12 rebounds for New Jersey (31-36), which moved percentage points ahead of Indiana (30-35) for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

"Everybody we play on the remaining schedule pretty much has a playoff hope," Kidd said. "We control or own destiny and if we can come out and win these last 15 then we're in."

"We just have to win, plain and simple," Carter added. "It doesn't matter how. We just have to build win on top of wins to get the best possible spot for the playoffs. We know every time we step on the floor, we have to win."

Trailing, 78-74, with 8:53 left, the Nets went on a 10-2 run capped by a layup by Kidd for an an 84-80 lead they would never relinquish.

"The Clippers had some pretty good looks," Kidd said. "Mobley caught fire, but we kept plugging away. We made free throws. We were unselfish with the ball and when we play defense, it gives us an opportunity in the fourth quarter."

"The loss is disappointing," Clippers forward Elton Brand said. "We've got a five-point lead in the fourth quarter, we've got to win that game. We have to do the little things to win the game."

After Cuttino Mobley nailed a 3-pointer with 2:48 left to cut the deficit to 90-89, the Nets finished on a 15-6 run to win for the third time in four games.

"We tried to step out pressure up and tried to make it as tough as possible on them in the fourth quarter," Carter said. "We caused a couple of turnovers, got to the free throw line and hit the majority of our free throws to win the game."

Kidd shot 7-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, for New Jersey, which has not lost to Los Angeles here since January 15, 1998.

Mobley scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half and Corey Maggette added 23 and nine rebounds for the Clippers (30-36), who fell one game behind idle Golden State (32-36) for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.

"Every game in incredibly important," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "The amount of games that separate you from not only the playoffs but the sixth spot, is just really not that many."

"We just have to keep fighting," Mobley added. "Everyone has to have a dog in them right now, this time of year. I'm going to do my best as an individual to help us as a team."