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Nets hope to avoid winless road trip vs. Lakers

Nov 26, 2006 - 3:17 PM New Jersey (5-7) at LA Lakers (8-4) 9:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets had trouble starting their last game and the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't finish theirs.

The teams meet Sunday as the Nets try to salvage a win as they wrap up their four-game West Coast road trip.

Rookie Marcus Williams scored 21 of his season-high 27 points in the closing quarter and Vince Carter added 23 for New Jersey, which fell behind early and could not complete the comeback in a 99-93 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

The Suns started the game on a 14-0 run and led, 57-41, at the break and 82-63 after three quarters before holding on in the closing period.

The Nets' reserves brought their squad closer in the fourth quarter with Jason Kidd and Vince Carter watching from the bench. Los Angeles had its stars on the floor, but couldn't seal the win.

The Lakers held an 89-82 lead early in the fourth quarter before a 10-2 spurt sparked Utah's 114-108 win. Superstar Kobe Bryant scored 27 points but did not have a basket in the fourth period. Lamar Odom added 26 points for the Los Angeles.

New Jersey has won six of the last nine games in this series and the last two contests on the road.