The Toronto Raptors may be heading to the NBA playoffs, but they're giving every indication that their stay won't be a long one.
Vince Carter poured in 32 points and Richard Jefferson added 28 as the New Jersey Nets dealt the reeling Raptors a 99-90 loss at IZOD Center.
New Jersey Nets' Richard Jefferson, right, poured in 28 points against the Raptors on Saturday.
(Bill Kostroun/Associated Press)
After sitting out against the Detroit Pistons on Friday with an ankle injury, Carter came back a day later with a gutsy performance in an attempt to keep the Nets slim playoff hopes alive.
"It feels better than yesterday," he said. "I am going to fight through it and get it done."
Despite the win, it may be too little, too late for the Nets (32-45), who saw their post-season chances hurt with the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks also winning on Saturday.
Atlanta's win means that New Jersey will be eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in seven years with any combination of Nets' losses or Hawks' wins totalling two.
"We're not quite mathematically out," said Carter, who scored 21 of his points in the second half. "Maybe we are counted out, that doesn't mean we don't come out hard and compete each and every night."
For Toronto (38-39), it was yet another fourth-quarter collapse for a team that's beginning to look very suspect late in games.
With the score tied at 76-76 early in the fourth quarter, an outburst from Carter helped the Nets outscore the Raptors 23-16 in the decisive frame.
Toronto's losing streak has now hit three straight games and during the fourth quarters of those games (plus one overtime), they've been outscored by a total of 101-69.
One positive for Toronto was the play of Rasho Nesterovic, who continued his recent string of stellar games with 22 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for the centre's second double-double in as many nights.
Chris Bosh added 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
Despite all five starters reaching double-figures in scoring for Toronto, the team had a dreadful shooting night — shooting 42 per cent overall and an atrocious 3-22 (13.6 per cent) from three-point range.
The Raptors backed into a playoff spot on Friday, but with Saturday's loss - their 15th in their last 21 games — they fall below .500 for the first time since Nov. 24.
"You never want to go into the playoffs not playing your best basketball, and we definitely have been far from that," guard Anthony Parker said. "It's just a matter of getting it going our way quick."
Raptors start slow
The Nets came out of the gates ready to run and took advantage of some poor transition defence from the Raptors. Despite a perfect first quarter from Nesterovic, who hit his first four shots for eight points, New Jersey used eight fast-break points to take a 33-26 lead after 12 minutes of play.
But 18 first-half points from Jefferson and a three-pointer by point guard Devin Harris from the top of the arc just before halftime helped push the Nets lead to 56-48.
Toronto managed to put together a stronger third quarter to keep things close with point guard T.J. Ford leading the charge. The diminutive Texan hit a pair of free throws with 3:18 in the third to give Toronto its first lead of the game before Carter scored the Nets' next five points to reclaim a 76-74 lead.
Unfortunately for the Raptors, it was a sign of things to come.
Carter hit two free throws, a finger-roll in the lane, another two free throws, two straight jumpers, a layup and one more jumper for good measure to start the fourth quarter.
By the time the dust settled after the six-minute barrage, Carter had helped the Nets lead balloon to 91-80 and they were barely challenged the rest of the way.
With files from the Associated Press
