Nets conclude stand vs. Celtics

New Jersey has won three straight and improved to 3-1 on the stand with Tuesday’s 113-101 victory over the Washington Wizards. Vince Carter scored 27 points and Jason Kidd ended with 26 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to lead the Nets.

Bostjan Nachbar added 23 points for New Jersey, which improved to 17-14 as the host this season. The Nets, who are 3 1/2 games off the lead in the Atlantic standings and eighth in the East, also beat the Wizards for the ninth time in the last 13 meetings.

In injury news, Nets forward Josh Boone (flu) is probable for Saturday’s game, while forward Mikki Moore (flu) and guard Antoine Wright (elbow) are both listed as questionable against Boston.

The Celtics, meanwhile, have won two in a row since a four-game slide and notched a 102-94 triumph over the New York Knicks on Wednesday at TD Banknorth Garden.

Al Jefferson poured in 26 points with nine rebounds, and Paul Pierce added 24 points in the winning cause. Gerald Green chipped in 21 points and Brian Scalabrine compiled 14 points for the Celtics, who won consecutive games for the first time since a five-game win streak from December 9-16 this season.

Boston, which is last in the Atlantic standings, will hit the road today where it is 9-21 this season.

Saturday’s showdown between the Celtics and Nets is the fourth and final meeting this season. New Jersey is 2-1 in the 2006-07 series, and has won seven of nine and eight of the last 11 encounters.

The Celtics have dropped four of their last five trips to the Meadowlands.