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Nets conclude six-game road trip vs. Hornets

Mar 13, 2007 - 2:14 PM New Jersey (29-35) at New Orleans (28-35) 8:00 pm EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- Jason Kidd is used to having his way against the New Orleans Hornets.

Kidd looks to lead the New Jersey Nets closer to the final Eastern Conference playoff spot when they wrap up a six-game road trip Tuesday against the Hornets.

Trailing only Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138) in career triple doubles, Kidd (85) averaged 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists against the Hornets last season.

Kidd collected 14 assists in a matchup against reigning Rookie of the Year Chris Paul in the most recent meeting of the teams on February 21. However, he made just 2-of-14 shots, missing all seven attempts from the arc, as New Jersey suffered a 111-107 loss.

After averaging only 86.2 points during a five-game losing streak, the Nets rallied behind Vince Carter's 30-point, 10-rebound performance in Monday's 113-102 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mikki Moore scored a career-high 24 points and Kidd registered 12 assists as New Jersey moved within one-half game of the New York Knicks (29-34) for eighth place in the East.

Despite dropping their last five contests and seven of their last 10, the Hornets are just 1 1/2 games in back of the Los Angeles Clippers (29-33) for the final playoff spot in the West.

Back home after a three-game road trip, the Hornets are coming off Saturday's 96-86 defeat to the Utah Jazz. Jannero Pargo scored 15 points and Paul added 12 with 11 assists.

The Hornets have surrendered an average of 103 points in their last six contests and need to find a way to slow down Carter, who scored 46 points on 15-of-25 shooting in the earlier meeting.