Jefferson helps Nets eliminate Raptors

Richard Jefferson saved the New Jersey Nets from another trip to Toronto -- and sent them instead to the second round.

Jefferson made the go-ahead basket with 8.3 seconds left, stole a pass on the next possession, and the Nets beat the Raptors, 98-97, Friday night to win the first-round series, 4-2.

After underachieving for most of the season, the Nets put it together down the stretch and now head to Cleveland for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday.

Jason Kidd finished with 18 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds for the Nets, averaging a triple-double for the series. Jefferson scored 24 points.

Chris Bosh had 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Atlantic Division champion Raptors. But Jose Calderon’s pass to him was intercepted by Jefferson, sending the Raptors to their ninth consecutive road postseason loss.

Bosh, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, banked in a jump shot with 47 seconds left, giving the Raptors a 97-96 lead.

But after a timeout, Jefferson drove into the lane and rose over Bosh for his layup. The Raptors then tried to find Bosh cutting to the basket, but Jefferson came away with Calderon’s pass.

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NBA Commissioner David Stern criticized a study regarding racial bias among league officials and the New York Times for printing it, saying racism “doesn’t exist in the NBA.” Speaking before the Toronto-New Jersey game, Stern said of the report: “My major concern about it is that it’s wrong.”