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Nets hope Kidd is healthy enough to face Kings

Feb 23, 2007 - 3:10 PM Sacramento (23-30) at New Jersey (25-30) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- If the New Jersey Nets are to make a serious push towards the postseason, they will need all their primary weapons to be healthy.

The Nets hope Jason Kidd will be available Friday when they attempt to snap a three-game losing streak against the Sacramento Kings.

Rumored to be headed to another team before Thursday's trading deadline, Kidd is listed as questionable after suffering a cracked rib in Wednesday's 111-107 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.

Ranked third in the league in assists (8.8), Kidd made just 2-of-14 shots and scored only six points in nearly 35 minutes against the Hornets. However, he collected 14 assists and nine rebounds.

Carter, who scored seven points in Sunday's All-Star Game, had 46 on 15-of-25 shots and 12-of-12 free throws for New Jersey, which trails the Toronto Raptors by 4 1/2 games in the Atlanta Division race.

After winning five straight games from January 31-February 10, Sacramento has dropped four of its last five, including Thursday's 109-106 loss to the Washington Wizards.

Ron Artest scored 32 points, Mike Bibby added 30 and Brad Miller grabbed 13 rebounds for the Kings, who nearly overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

New Jersey squandered a 20-point advantage in its last encounter with Sacramento, an 88-87 loss on January 22. Kidd had a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Nets.