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Pacers seek to tie Nets for eighth playoff spot

Mar 28, 2007 - 2:46 PM Indiana (31-39) at New Jersey (32-38) 7:30 pm EDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Jermaine O'Neal will need help if the Indiana Pacers hope to make the playoffs.

O'Neal and the Pacers visit the New Jersey Nets and look to draw even with them in the battle for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

The All-Star power forward has recorded consecutive 30-point games for the first time since the 2004-05 season. O'Neal scored 32 in the Pacers' 105-94 home loss to Cleveland on Tuesday.

The Nets snapped a two-game losing streak with a 113-107 overtime win at Charlotte. Vince Carter scored 40 points, including a spectacular reverse dunk off a Jason Kidd airball at the buzzer to force the overtime.

New Jersey has won two of the three meetings this season, including a 105-95 victory at home on January 15 as Carter scored 31.