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Carter, Nets look to hang on in playoff race, host Celtics

Mar 3, 2007 - 2:53 PM Boston (15-42) at New Jersey (28-30) 1:00 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Vince Carter and the New Jersey Nets look to match their season-high win streak when they host the Boston Celtics on Saturday.

New Jersey has won three in a row including a 113-101 win over Washington on Tuesday. Carter scored 27 points, and Jason Kidd and reserve Bostjan Nachbar had 26 and 23 respectively for the Nets, who hit a franchise-record 16 3-pointers

Carter has averaged 34.8 points in his last four games for New Jersey, which won a season-high four straight from January 15-20.

The Nets have also won six of nine to stay in position for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics have won two straight including a 102-94 home win over New York on Wednesday. Al Jefferson scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Gerald Green added 21, including 10 in the fourth quarter for Boston, which had previously lost 22 of 23 prior to its current streak.

Boston hasn't won three in a row since winning five straight in December.

The Nets have beaten the Celtics five out the last six times, including two of three this season. However Boston won 92-90 at New Jersey on December 9.