NBA Game Summary - Boston at New Jersey

01.22.2006

East Rutherford, NJ (Basketball News) - Vince Carter posted 25 points and eight rebounds to lead the Nets in a 103-83 blowout over the Celtics in the finale of a home-and-home set at Continental Airlines Arena. The Celtics beat New Jersey in Boston on Friday night 99-96.

The Nets cut short a two-game winning streak for the Celtics and continued an eight-game winning streak with the win, the sixth time that feat has been accomplished in franchise history.

Nenad Krstic scored 16 and collected nine rebounds, while Scott Padgett and Jacque Vaughn notched 13 points apiece. Richard Jefferson added 10 points and Jason Kidd posted seven points, nine rebounds and eight assists in the win.

Paul Pierce scored 20 points and posted five rebounds to pace the Celtics. Al Jefferson notched 11 points and Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen both added 10 points in the loss.

"You beat a team once, they’re going to come after you the next night," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We had no answer for anyone in a white jersey."

The Nets opened the game with a 10-2 run capped with a slam by Krstic off a no-look pass from Kidd. Boston answered on a 10-2 run of its own, however, during which they came within one point of the lead, 19-18, on a turnaround jumper by Perkins.

Carter’s 14 first-quarter points and six from Vaughn helped New Jersey to a 31-23 lead at the first intermission.

"We weren’t pleased with our first half last game," Carter said. "We felt if we played better in the first half we could win tonight. It was all about effort and energy."

Vaughn helped spark New Jersey to an energized style of play, which outscored Boston 19-2 in first-half fast-break points, and New Jersey claimed a 61-43 halftime lead.

"He [Vaughn] plays with a lot of energy, he’s relentless, and just plays hard," Carter said. With his energy getting up the floor and getting easy baskets and getting Scott [Padgett] going, he’s really setting the bar for us."

New Jersey also dominated Boston in the lane. The Nets outscored the Celtics 44-18 in points in the paint after three quarters, at which point they led 91-62.

Jason Collins did not play because of a bruised right knee suffered on January 18 at Philadelphia...The Nets are 12-6 as the host this season and tied their fourth longest home winning streak...The Celtics, who have dropped three straight as the visitor, are 4-16 on the road...Boston has lost three straight and six of its last seven at New Jersey.

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