New Jersey Nets Team Report - December 18

(Basketball News) - The Nets made a big splash on Friday, acquiring perennial All-Star Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first round picks.

Carter, who is currently on the injured list with a strained left Achilles, started at guard alongside new teammate Jason Kidd for the Eastern Conference in last season’s All-Star Game.

Now in his seventh season, Carter has averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He was drafted fifth overall in 1998 after his junior season at North Carolina by Golden State, which traded his rights to the Raptors in exchange for the drafts rights to Antawn Jamison.

After the trade, the Nets were forced to play shorthanded in Friday’s 89-84 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Richard Jefferson scored 26 points and pulled down 11 boards for the Nets, who have lost two straight. Brian Scalabrine posted a career-high 21 points along with nine rebounds.

James Posey registered 13 points and nine rebounds for Memphis, which used an 11-2 run to snap a 64-64 tie. Jason Williams drained consecutive three- pointers to put the team ahead 75-66 with 5:30 to play.

New Jersey cut its deficit to 85-84 on a dunk by Jefferson with 16 seconds remaining. However, Posey hit four foul shots in the final 12 seconds to secure the win for the Grizzlies.

Kidd notched 17 points and eight assists for the Nets, who fell to 2-8 on the road. New Jersey will try to get back on the winning track Sunday afternoon, when it ironically will face Toronto at the Air Canada Centre.