Nets go for 10th straight win vs. Raptors

The red-hot Nets open a four-game homestand today. All-Star Vince Carter scored 31 points to lead New Jersey to a 113-106 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday at Continental Airlines Arena.

Jason Kidd had a triple-double with 16 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds while Richard Jefferson netted 15 points in the win over Orlando for the Nets, who have won a season-high nine games in a row. It is the team’s longest winning streak since a 14-game run from January 25 to February 24, 2004.

New Jersey is a respectable 8-6 as the visitor this season. It has won three in a row on the road. The Nets will also visit San Antonio, Memphis and Dallas on the current swing.

Toronto, which plays the finale of a three-game homestand, is also playing winning basketball lately as it has won a season-best five straight games. On Friday, Mike James scored 30 points, handed out eight assists and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds to lead the Raptors over the Houston Rockets, 112-92, at Air Canada Centre.

Chris Bosh contributed 22 points and 16 boards, while Morris Peterson added 19 points in the win over Houston for the Raptors, who have won seven of their last nine games overall. Rookie forward Charlie Villanueva posted 21 points in the victory.

The Raptors are just 4-12 at home this season. They have won three in a row at Air Canada Centre.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs this season. The teams split the first two contests, as each club picked up a win on the road. The Nets are scheduled to host the Raptors on March 4th at the Meadowlands in the fourth and final contest.

New Jersey has won five of the last eight meetings in this series. The Nets have won two straight at Toronto.