Nets in search of 12th straight win

The Nets, who won a franchise-record 14 consecutive games from January 25 - February 24, 2004, posted a 91-88 victory over Atlanta on Friday at Philips Arena.

Vince Carter’s basket with less than a minute to go in the game lifted the Nets to the win — one which sent New Jersey to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

Richard Jefferson had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Carter tallied 26 points and nine rebounds for New Jersey. Jason Kidd added 11 points in the triumph, as the Nets reduced their magic number to clinch the Atlantic Division to two. They have a 10-game lead over Philly in the division.

New Jersey, seeded No. 3 in the East, has won six straight at home and is 25-9 at Continental Airlines Arena this season.

Miami, meanwhile, will conclude a three-game road trip in East Rutherford. It is 1-1 on the trip and suffered a 106-99 loss at Cleveland on Saturday night.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with a season-high 44 points, while center Shaquille O’Neal missed the game with a hyper-extended knee. O’Neal is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Nets.

The playoff-bound Heat had a three-game winning streak broken and are 1-3 in their last four road games. Miami is 20-17 as the guest in 2005-06.

New Jersey, which leads the season series with Miami by a 2-1 count, has won nine of the last 16 meetings with the Heat.

Miami has lost seven of its last nine trips to New Jersey.