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Carter, Yi lead surging Nets past Clippers

Nov 23, 2008 - 4:49 AM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Nets are starting to show some signs of life, and they are doing it as a team.

Yi Jianlian poured in 27 points and Vince Carter chipped in 26 to lead the Nets to a 112-95 victory over the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

Rookie center Brook Lopez turned in another solid effort with 14 points and eight rebounds and Devin Harris had 18 and 10 assists for the Nets, who have won two straight and four of their last five games.

The balanced attack was rounded out by the fifth member of the starting lineup, Bobby Simmons, who also reached double figures with 11 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

"Every team would love where everyone scores in double figure," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "I think that's the beauty of basketball. For us, it's going to be an evolving process; new players, new offense, trying to figure things out. It's more about the process of doing the right things; if you do that, the wins will add up."

Carter, Yi and Simmons combined to go 8-of-12 from beyond the arc as New Jersey shot 58 percent (11-of-19) from long range. The Nets also made their presence felt on the inside, winning the rebounding battle, 45-31.

"We knew that we were going to have to come into this game and keep their big men off the glass," Lopez said. "Guys like (Marcus) Camby and (Chris) Kaman can really get going with offensive tips and their post play. We just tried to limit them to one shot and get out on offense."

New Jersey is averaging 119.5 points over its last four wins.

"We are starting to hit our stride," Harris said. "Guys are starting to know their role a little more. We are more comfortable with the system. We just need to take it one game at a time."

After falling behind in the first few minutes, the Nets set the tone for the game with an 18-5 run in the first quarter. Simmons hit three straight 3-pointers and Carter ended the run with another from beyond the arc.

They hit their first five 3-point attempts and 6-of-8 in the first half en route to a 55-47 lead at the break.

Yi hit two more 3-pointers right off the bat in the third quarter as New Jersey pulled away.

"He is so important to us," Carter said of Yi. "He spreads the floor, he is 7-feet tall. He's long, creates tough matchups and has the ability to shoot over people. We have enormous confidence in him and what he brings to the team. He doesn't even have to have the 27 points to be effective."

The Clippers, who were playing with a short bench after trading Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas to the New York Knicks on Friday, were led by Baron Davis, who had 30 points and 10 assists.

"I thought the biggest issue for us tonight was the Nets' ability to get wide open looks, between some of our turnovers and their ability to get out and run the floor," Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy. "Their big guys, particularly Yi, were able to follow as a trailer and get some great shots. They shot the ball really well.

"The Nets stroked the three and they got good spacing for Vince Carter that way. That's how he was able to do what he needs to do."

Los Angeles expects to have Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins when they host the New Orleans Hornets on Monday.

"Zach gives us a guy that can shoot from the inside and outside, a physical presence that adds another dimension to our team," Clippers forward Brian Skinner said. "Hopefully he'll jell in with the players we have now and we can get him acclimated to the system."