NBA Playoff Notebook: Nets have turned up the heat in Miami

All-Star Vince Carter continued to lead the third-seeded Nets in the postseason, as he scored a game-high 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists in Game 1’s victory.

"I think we were just focused from the beginning," said Carter after Game 1’s win. "We wanted to come out and be aggressive and show everyone that we could compete. We do have a lot of respect for the Miami Heat because they are one of the best teams in the East."

Carter was 6-for-15 from the floor and 15-of-19 from the foul line in 39-plus minutes of action in the series opener against the Heat. The North Carolina product is averaging team-highs in points (28.9 ppg) and rebounds (8.1 rpg) in the postseason. He has also handed out 5.7 assists per contest.

Starting point guard Jason Kidd had an excellent outing in Game 1 for New Jersey. He finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Kidd, who entered the contest shooting just 29.2 percent from the floor in the postseason, was 9-for-17 from the field, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. He also collected four steals and was in control of the game for his 43- plus minutes on the court.

"I thought the key to the game was Jason’s play," said Miami head coach Pat Riley after Game 1’s loss. "He was as good as I’ve seen him tonight.

New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson scored 20 points, pulled down four boards, and handed out five assists before injuring his right ankle during the third quarter. He did not return after the injury, and played just under 23 minutes and was 7-for-11 from the field.

Jefferson is confident that he will be fine and ready to go when the series resumes.

"I got bumped on my way up, and my ankle buckled," said Jefferson. "It’s just a sprained ankle. The X-rays were negative. There is no swelling. I’ll be fine."

Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade were Miami’s top two performers in the loss. Wade ended with 25 points, while Shaq netted 20 and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. The Heat shot just 39.1 percent from the field, including a dismal 4-of-22 (18.2 percent) from three-point range.

The Nets made 48.6 percent (34-for-70) of their attempts from the floor, including 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from beyond the arc.

"We have to do a better job in transition," said Wade. "They are a pretty good transition team and today they really hurt us. They go out and hit open shots so we have to do a better job on getting back and making them see five guys in Game 2."

Winning Game 1 on the road was huge for New Jersey, which was swept by the Heat, 4-0, in the first round of last year’s postseason. The Nets have stolen homecourt advantage and have a chance to go home with a 2-0 lead if they can duplicate Game 1’s performance in the second contest of the set.

Carter, Jefferson and Kidd showed Miami in the opener that they were not to be taken lightly. The Nets’ talented trio is athletic and is running on all cylinders. Look out Heat!