Nets can finish off Raptors at the Meadowlands

New Jersey leads this best-of-seven series 3-2. If necessary, Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday at Air Canada Centre.

Vince Carter had a chance to beat his former team, and he passed. Bostjan Nachbar missed a three for the win after Carter drew a double team in the lane, and Toronto survived another day with a 98-96 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday at Air Canada Centre in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Jose Calderon scored a career-high 25 points off the bench, playing the majority of the minutes at point guard after T.J. Ford left the game near the end of the first quarter with a stinger suffered during a loose ball battle with Carter.

Anthony Parker and Andrea Bargnani scored 18 points apiece for the Raptors in the victory, while Chris Bosh finished with 11 points and eight boards.

Richard Jefferson scored 23 points on 9-of-14 from the floor for the Nets, while Jason Kidd had a rough night, not scoring until the 7:26 mark of the third quarter, ending with 11 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

On the injury front for Toronto, Calderon (sprained right ankle) is questionable, while Ford (stinger/cut on mouth) is doubtful for tonight’s contest.

Toronto is 1-0 all-time in Game 6s in the playoffs, while the Nets have lost two of their last three Game 6s.

New Jersey has dropped three of its last four games when it has the chance to eliminates its opponent from the postseason, while Toronto is 6-3 all-time when facing elimination.

The Nets are in the playoffs for a team-best sixth consecutive season. New Jersey defeated Indiana in six games in last year’s opening round before bowing out in five games against the Miami Heat in the conference semifinals.

The Raptors have returned to the playoffs after ending a four-year postseason drought. They captured their first division title in franchise history after winning the Atlantic, and are in the postseason for the fourth time. Head coach Sam Mitchell, who was named NBA Coach of the Year, did a fantastic job during the regular season, guiding the squad to a 47-35 record to match the best finish in team history.