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Nets hope to have Kidd for Game Three

Apr 27, 2007 - 3:06 PM Toronto at New Jersey 7:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference First Round Game Three

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets may have a bigger problem than just losing in Game Two.

The Nets hope to have star point guard Jason Kidd available when they meet the Toronto Raptors in Game Three of their Eastern Conference first-round series Friday.

Kidd injured his left knee early in Game Two while attempting to draw an offensive foul, but remained in the game and finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds in New Jersey's 89-83 loss to Toronto.

Kidd, who missed practice Thursday with a strained knee, will be be a game-time decision.

"He just bumped it and we just wanted to take precautions," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "He just had some discomfort. We'll leave it to the doctors. I don't want to fuel speculation. This is all we know."

Playing without Kidd would be a major blow for the Nets, who are seeking a 2-1 lead in the series. He is averaging 11.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 11.0 assists in the first two games.

If Kidd is unable to go, rookie Marcus Williams, who has played just over 15 minutes in the series, likely would start.

The Nets also will be looking for a big performance from former Raptor Vince Carter, who is averaging 17.5 points on just 13-of-43 shooting in the series. He averaged 25.0 points in the regular season.

After scoring 28 points to lead the Nets in the series opener, Richard Jefferson managed 13 on 4-of-16 shooting in Game Two.

Toronto won its first playoff game in nearly five seasons on Tuesday with an 89-83 triumph. All-Star Chris Bosh had 25 points and 13 rebounds while Anthony Parker added 28 and eight.

The last time the Raptors won in the postseason was April 27, 2002 when they beat Detroit in Game Three of a first-round series. That Toronto team also won Game Four, but lost the series in five games.