• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Carter looks to maintain Nets' winning ways

Nov 27, 2007 - 3:06 PM Memphis (4-9) at New Jersey (7-7) 7:30 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- It is becoming quite obvious that the fortunes of the New Jersey Nets are directly affected by the availability of Vince Carter.

Carter and the surging Nets shoot for their fourth straight win Tuesday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.

A 10-year veteran, Carter played in each of the season's first six games, leading New Jersey to a 4-1 start. However, he sprained his right ankle late in a loss to the Boston Celtics on November 10.

Carter missed the next five games - all losses - and the Nets managed 76.6 points per game as a team in his absence. Since his return, New Jersey has won three straight, scoring an average of 102 points in those games.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies rode the hot hand of rookie Juan Carlos Navarro, who matched his season high with 28 points in Saturday's 124-118 home win over the Washington Wizards.