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Nets look to continue strong play vs. Bulls

Jan 11, 2007 - 6:12 PM New Jersey (15-19) at Chicago (20-16) 8:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets are trying to take control of the Atlantic Division.

Despite battling tough personal matters, Kidd leads the Nets against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

In its last contest, New Jersey picked up a big win against a division foe. Vince Carter scored 24 of his 32 points in the first half and Richard Jefferson took over in the third quarter as the Nets posted a 101-86 victory over Toronto.

Led by Kidd, who is going through a messy divorce with wife Joumana, the Nets are tied for first place with the Raptors, one-half game ahead of New York in the awful Atlantic Division. Kidd had 10 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds for New Jersey, which picked up its fourth win in five games.

After a three-game winning streak, the Bulls have lost four of their last five contests.

Despite its success at home, Chicago dropped its last game at the United Center on Monday, an 84-77 setback to Houston. Ben Gordon scored 24 points and Luol Deng added 20 for the Bulls, who fell to 15-4 on their home floor.

Two nights later, Kirk Hinrich scored a season-high 33 points and Gordon added 25 off the bench for Chicago in a 113-103 loss at Washington.

The Nets won their previous matchup with Chicago, a 91-86 victory Friday.