Nets in search of 14th straight win

New Jersey made it 13 in a row and clinched the division with Tuesday’s 96-94 home triumph over the lowly Atlanta Hawks.

Vince Carter had 27 points and nine rebounds, while Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic each added 17 points for the Nets, who won a franchise-record 14 consecutive games from January 25 - February 24, 2004.

The Nets are just 3 1/2 games behind the Miami Heat for the second spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They have won eight straight at home and are 27-9 at Continental Airlines Arena this season.

After Thursday’s game with the Bobcats, New Jersey will conclude its four-game homestand on Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Meanwhile, Charlotte ended a two-game losing streak with Tuesday’s 97-92 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Brevin Knight posted a team-high 24 points and dished out eight assists for the Bobcats. Raymond Felton had 17 points, while Primoz Brezec and Matt Carroll each added 14 points in the victory.

Charlotte only has two wins in its last seven tries and will travel to Toronto after Thursday’s game in East Rutherford.

The Bobcats have lost six in a row on the road and are 6-31 as the visitor in 2005-06.

Thursday’s game between Charlotte and New Jersey is the fourth and final meeting of the season. The Nets own a 2-1 lead this season and have won six of the seven meetings with Charlotte.