Carter heating up at right time 03.27.2007
|
I think it’s only fair since Carter, who erupted for 40 points in a win over Charlotte last weekend, is averaging 24.4 points over his last 10 games and has helped New Jersey to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
Carter has been more durable than a Brillo pad this season for the Nets, having appeared in all 70 games. If Carter doesn’t miss another outing this season it will be the second time in his career (1999-00) that he competed in all 82 regular-season games.
The last time a New Jersey hoopster played in all 82 games was during the 2003-04 season, when Richard Jefferson and Kerry Kittles saw action in every contest.
Carter, the Nets’ leading scorer with 25.0 ppg, must keep his ’Vinsanity’ approach for Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers because they are currently a half game behind New Jersey for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers play on Tuesday night versus Cleveland and can shake up the playoff picture with a win over the Cavs. The Nets are idle this evening.
New Jersey has won four of its last seven games and will play four of the next six contests at Continental Airlines Arena, where it is 18-17 this season. The road ahead is a bumpy one, however, as the Nets will take on a few tough opponents in Detroit, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington and Cleveland.
If and when the Nets record another victory, head coach Lawrence Frank will tie Byron Scott for the most wins in franchise history. Frank is 148-126 so far with New Jersey, while Scott compiled a 149-139 record in his tenure.