NBA Game Summary - Atlanta at New Jersey

East Rutherford, NJ (Basketball News) - Vince Carter netted 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds as New Jersey clinched the NBA’s Atlantic Division with a 96-94 squeaker over Atlanta at Continental Airlines Arena.

The Nets victory, along with a Philadelphia loss, gave New Jersey the Atlantic Division crown.

"This is my first one (Atlantic Division championship)," Carter said. It’s a great feeling but here is bigger fish to fry. This just falls under us doing our jobs."

Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic each added 17 points for the Nets, who won their 13th consecutive game and will attempt to tie a franchise record with a 14th straight win over Charlotte on Thursday. Jason Kidd recorded 11 points and dished out 13 assists in the win.

"I don’t think we have accomplished too much yet," Jefferson said. "We will be judged by what we accomplish in the playoffs."

Joe Johnson had a game-high 33 points for the Hawks, who have lost three straight and eight of their last nine games. Donta Smith added 13 points off the bench while Anthony Grundy contributed 11 points in the loss.

"It says a lot for our ball club that our guys came out and competed until the end," said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. "You just gotta move on and continue and play the next one."

Down by 21 points entering the fourth quarter, Atlanta responded with a furious rush. The Hawks began the frame with a 24-4 flurry that brought them within one-point. Smith’s alley-oop dunk, with 5:20 left made the score 82-81.

Twelve seconds later, the Nets finally answered with a Carter three to make it 85-81.

The Hawks continued to threaten down the stretch and drew within two, 89-87, on a pair of Josh Smith free throws with 1:37 on the clock.

New Jersey made five straight from the line over the next 25 seconds to regain control, 94-87.

Johnson scored five straight points, on a trey and a pair from the line, to again bring Atlanta within two, 94-92, with 32 seconds remaining.

A pair of Carter free throws, with eight ticks left, finally sealed things for New Jersey.

The two teams played to a 22-22 stalemate after the first 12 minutes. The Nets edged ahead by eight, 45-37, entering intermission.

The Nets took control with a 33-20 third quarter and took a commanding 78-57 edge into the final frame.