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Nets top pacers for 5th straight victory
Just in time for the stretch run, the New Jersey Nets have put together their longest winning streak of the season.
The Nets won their fifth straight game Tuesday night, getting 33 points from Vince Carter and outplaying the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter of a 98-91 victory.
Rookie center Nenad Krstic scored seven of his 15 points during a 14-2 run that put the Nets in control midway through the final period, and Carter and Travis Best provided enough offense the rest of the way to give New Jersey a sweep of their back-to-back set against the Pacers.
The Nets gained a game on Indiana, which began the night in seventh place in the East, and moved within one game of Philadelphia for eighth place. With 14 games remaining, the Nets' playoff hopes are very much alive.
Stephen Jackson scored 23 points for Indiana, but was limited down the stretch because of foul trouble. He complained bitterly after drawing his sixth foul while trapping Best in the backcourt with 1:10 left, and Best knocked down both free throws for a 95-87 lead. Reggie Miller added 18 points and Austin Croshere 15 for Indiana.
Jason Kidd had 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for New Jersey. Carter surpassed 30 points for the fourth time in five games.
The game meandered along for the first three quarters, the slow pace being set in the first period when the referees whistled 19 fouls leading to 29 free throws. Indiana held the lead most of the way, but New Jersey went ahead briefly in the third quarter and trailed just 70-68 entering the fourth.
Krstic scored on a jump hook for a 78-78 tie with 6:21 left, and the Nets went on the fast break moments later when Miller appeared to be hacked on a drive but no foul was called.
Carter missed a layup but tipped in his own miss to put New Jersey ahead for good, Kidd followed with a 3-pointer and Carter hit a jump hook to complete the 14-2 run and give the Nets an 87-80 lead.
When national anthem singer Roger Nick stumbled on the words to the song, referee Dick Bavetta walked over and coached him through it. ...NBA commissioner David Stern reaffirmed his season-long suspension of Ron Artest in an interview with the Indianapolis Star, saying he believes Artest will benefit most by sitting out the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was not surprised. "I've been pretty steadfast in the belief that Ron wouldn't be back no matter what, so that was not a surprise." ... Jamaal Tinsley is spending Tuesday and Wednesday seeing a renowned foot specialist in New York, trying to find a cure for the bruised left foot that has caused him to miss the last 13 games. "Hopefully in a couple of days we'll have more of an idea of a diagnosis and prognosis," Carlisle said.
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