Nets hold off Pacers; Indiana’s playoff hopes evaporate

Richard Jefferson posted 18 points and Jason Kidd poured in 12 with 10 assists for the Nets, who have won four of their last five games. New Jersey remains one game ahead of Orlando for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic won at home over Boston, 88-86, Sunday night, clinching the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, thus eliminating the Pacers from postseason contention.

"I don’t know, I really don’t care," Carter said, "I’ve never cared about where we’re at. I’m only concerned about us continuing to play well and winning games because it’s important to be playing well going into the playoffs."

Jermaine O’Neal netted 20 points, while Danny Granger and Troy Murphy each had 17 for the Pacers, who have dropped three of their last four games. Mike Dunleavy chipped in 15 points, Darrell Armstrong 13 and Shawne Williams 12 in defeat.

"We want to go out winning these last two games if we are eliminated," Granger said. "It’s a disappointing feeling. It’s one of those things that you have to put it behind you and move on to next season."

The game was deadlocked at 80 heading into the fourth quarter and remained tight throughout. After Granger hit a jumper to cut within 97-96, New Jersey ripped off eight straight points — capped by Nachbar’s three-point play — for a 105-96 lead with just under three minutes to play.

A pair of O’Neal free throws later brought the Pacers within three, but Jefferson landed a free throw and Kidd deposited a jumper to make it a 110-104 contest with 11 seconds left.

Jamaal Tinsley responded with a triple with just over three seconds remaining, while Carter was fouled on the ensuing possession and hit one from the line to ice the game.

The Nets finished 51 percent shooting from the field, while Indiana shot 46 percent from the floor.

With the game tied at 11 halfway through the first quarter, New Jersey went on an 11-2 run — capped by Carter’s jumper — for a nine-point lead. Josh Boone then hit a hook shot to give the Nets a 28-22 edge after one.

Indiana took the lead in the second on a Granger bank shot, but three consecutive three-pointers by Nachbar put New Jersey up by four moments later.

Kidd hit a trey to make it a 49-43 game at the 4:07 mark before the Pacers went on a 13-5 spurt — ended with Troy Murphy’s triple — to take a 56-54 lead into the break.

The contest was nip-and-tuck in the third and Murphy’s turnaround jumper knotted things at 80 for Indiana entering the fourth.

Game Notes

Tinsley had 10 points, seven assists and six boards for Indiana...New Jersey improved to 4-0 against the Pacers this season and have won five of the last six in the series.