Nets clinch playoff berth with win over Hawks

Richard Jefferson had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Carter tallied 26 points and nine rebounds for New Jersey, which secured its fifth consecutive postseason appearance. Jason Kidd added 11 points and scored New Jersey’s final five points on free throws, as the Nets reduced their magic number to clinch the Atlantic Division to two.

"We knew we were going to have to grind it out," Carter said. "I don’t care what their record looks like. They come at you from start to finish."

Joe Johnson scored 22 points and dished out eight assists for the Hawks, who lost for the 10th time in 12 games. Josh Smith added 17 points, while Al Harrington contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Atlanta, which lost to the Nets for the eighth time in the last 10 meetings.

"You have to look back at me missing those layups and one time not getting a shot," Smith said. "It’s just different things that we didn’t do right tonight."

Atlanta has just 22 wins this season, but the Hawks made it tough on the Nets.

Josh Childress’ dunk tied the game at 84 with 55.6 seconds remaining. Carter then missed a short shot, but scored on a second tip try.

Johnson then dribbled into the lane for the Hawks, but put the ball in Kidd’s hands.

Kidd made one free throw before Harrington scored on a putback to make it 87-86 with 21.8 seconds remaining.

Kidd hit two more free throws with 18.2 seconds left, and Johnson missed a long three-pointer. Kidd added two more foul shots with 4.9 seconds to go to seal New Jersey’s victory.

Atlanta led by as many as 11 points early on at 20-9 and was ahead 27-19 after one quarter. The Nets drew within 45-44 at the half, and Carter scored 14 of his points in the third quarter. The Nets carried a 66-64 edge going into the fourth.

Game Notes

New Jersey also won 10 games in a row from December 16 - January 8 this season. This is the Nets’ longest winning streak since a franchise-record 14- game run from January 25 to February 24, 2004. The Nets also tied their second longest road winning-streak (5) in franchise history...Childress scored 13 points...New Jersey won despite being outshot (47.3% - 34.7%)...The Nets went 37-of-42 at the foul line...New Jersey can clinch the Atlantic Division crown as early as Sunday, with a home win over Miami combined with a Philadelphia loss to New York.