Carter Gives It His Best, and Nets Win

Vince Carter outscored the Boston Celtics, 24-19, in the first quarter en route to a season-best 45-point performance, helping the New Jersey Nets continue their late playoff push with a 99-86 victory Saturday at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Nets (38-39), who have won 11 of their last 14, have five games to play in their bid to catch Philadelphia or Cleveland for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The 24 points were a single-quarter high in the NBA this season -- four players had 22. The total was also Carter’s best in his seven-year career, four better than his previous high, last done against Golden State on Nov. 7, 2001.

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Atlanta 105, Minnesota 98 -- Tyronn Lue scored 14 points in the fourth quarter at Atlanta, including 12 in a row, to help the Hawks end a 14-game losing streak and deal the Timberwolves a blow to their dwindling playoff hopes.

Minnesota fell four games behind eighth-place Memphis in the race for the final playoff spot in the West with five games left. Atlanta, the league’s worst team, hadn’t won since March 11 at Toronto and had lost 27 of its last 28 games. The Hawks’ last home victory was Feb. 7 against the Lakers.

Cleveland 98, Milwaukee 81 -- LeBron James made a career-high seven three-point baskets and scored 40 points at Cleveland as the Cavaliers ended a three-game losing streak and won for only the fifth time in 15 games. Cleveland (39-37) is tied with Philadelphia for the No. 7 spot in the East, 1 1/2 games ahead of New Jersey.

Philadelphia 112, Washington 106 -- The 76ers, playing without NBA scoring leader Allen Iverson, who sprained both thumbs during Friday’s victory over Cleveland, trailed by 13 in the fourth quarter at Washington before winning their fourth in a row. Gilbert Arenas scored a career-high 44 points for the Wizards, who have lost five in a row.

Chicago 110, Toronto 97 -- The Bulls clinched their first playoff berth since the 1997-98 season by beating the Raptors at Chicago. They have won three in a row and 12 of their last 13, and are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, two games ahead of Indiana.

Dallas 88, Utah 81 -- The win at Dallas secured home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Mavericks (52-24), who clinched the fourth spot in the Western Conference, hold a 5 1/2 -game lead over fifth-place Sacramento (47-30) and won the season series against the Kings, 3-1.

Denver 121, Seattle 105 -- The win at Denver was the Nuggets’ seventh in a row and moved them a step closer to reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive season. It was their 21st win in 23 games -- the franchise’s best stretch since going 27-2 in 1974, when they were in the ABA.

Houston 98, Phoenix 97 -- Tracy McGrady scored 34 points, and the Rockets held off a late rally at Phoenix. The Suns, down by 14 with 9:51 to go, had a chance to win at the finish but Steve Nash missed an 18-footer, and Steven Hunter’s attempt to slam home the rebound bounced out.