Carroll, Fitting in Nicely, Helps Nets End Streak

In his nine NBA seasons, New Jersey center Joe Barry Carroll has seen good and bad times, but probably none worse than two games last week when he played only nine minutes.

But Sunday night, when the New Jersey Nets needed him, he answered by coming off the bench to score 16 points, grab five rebounds and block three shots, helping to snap a five-game losing streak with a 98-93 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

“Sometimes you have to remember that this is a process, not an event,” said Carroll, who did not score in consecutive games against Washington and Milwaukee.

“I feel I’ve been around long enough to deserve the chance to play,” added Carroll, a former All-Star whose career average entering this season was 18.9 points a game. “But you have to play the hand you’re dealt. Now I just try and prepare to fit in where I can and do what I’m asked.”

Lester Conner, who was demoted from a starter last week, scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, making five key free throws in the last 30 seconds.

The Hawks trailed, 93-90, with 1:09 left on a free throw by Dominique Wilkins, who had 33 points and had 15 rebounds. But Conner made two free throws with 29 seconds to play. After a three-point basket by Moses Malone, Conner made two more free throws, giving the Nets a 97-93 lead with 10 seconds left.