Nets try to capture win over Pacers

New Jersey, currently third in the Eastern Conference playoff race, posted its fourth straight win Friday night against the New York Knicks.

Richard Jefferson scored 27 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out six assists as New Jersey posted a 94-90 win at Madison Square Garden.

Vince Carter added 26 points and six boards for the Nets, who have won eight of their last 10 games. The Nets also have downed the Knicks three times this season and now own a six-game winning streak over New York.

Forward Bostjan Nachbar could make his debut with New Jersey versus the Pacers after being acquired from New Orleans before the trade deadline in exchange for forwards Marc Jackson and Linton Johnson III.

New Jersey, which is 14-1 in its last 15 home games, is 18-7 as the host this season.

Meanwhile, Indiana has lost two straight and three of its last five games, including Friday’s 117-112 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Peja Stojakovic led the way for the Pacers with a season-high 34 points, while Fred Jones poured in a career-high 31. Jeff Foster recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds for Indiana.

Stojakovic is averaging 19.7 points per game with Indiana, which fell to 6-4 since acquiring him from Sacramento for the enigmatic Ron Artest.

Indiana’s Stephen Jackson missed the second half with a knee injury and could sit out against New Jersey, his former team.

The Pacers, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, have lost six in a row on the road and tote a 9-16 record as the guest this season.

The season series between both teams is tied at a game apiece. Indiana posted a 102-90 win at home on November 11, but the Nets notched a 97-92 triumph in the last meeting in New Jersey on January 16.

New Jersey has won three of the last five meetings, including two in a row at home. The Pacers have lost six of nine at Continental Airlines Arena.