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Carter, Nets look for third straight win

Feb 27, 2007 - 3:22 PM Washington (31-23) at New Jersey (27-30) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Vince Carter is doing his best to keep the New Jersey Nets in the playoff hunt.

Looking for their third straight win, the Nets host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

Underachieving all season, New Jersey is tied with Orlando for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Rumored to be traded before last Thursday's deadline, Carter did not get moved although he can opt out of his contract at the end of the season.

Led by their superstar swingman, the Nets held off Atlantic Division-rival New York, 101-92, last Sunday. Carter scored 40 points and came up one rebound and two assists shy of a triple-double. He also nailed five straight free throws in the final minutes to seal the victory.

Carter has recorded two 40-point games in his last three contests for New Jersey, which has won four of its last five games against the Wizards.

Washington hopes to avoid a three-game losing streak. The Wizards were defeated, 98-94, against Minnesota on Sunday.

Washington All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas scored 20 points, but made just 4-of-22 shots.

DeShawn Stevenson scored 21 points to pace the Wizards, who played without second-leading scorer Caron Butler. The All-Star forward was sidelined with back spasms.