New Jersey Nets Team Report - December 28

(Basketball News) - Vince Carter will try for a second time to get his first victory with the New Jersey Nets this evening, when they travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls at the United Center.

Carter registered 23 points in his New Jersey debut, but the Nets still fell 100-90 to the Detroit Pistons in overtime. After playing 42 minutes, he was forced to leave the contest with 2:13 remaining in overtime due to cramping in his left leg.

Carter was acquired from Toronto in a trade 10 days ago in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, forward Eric Williams, center/forward Aaron Williams and two conditional first-round draft picks. However, Carter had been sidelined with a strained left Achilles’ tendon.

Richard Jefferson paced New Jersey with 27 points to go along with seven boards. Nenad Krstic had 13 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort.

New Jersey struggled from the field, hitting 35.6 percent of its shots, including 5-of-15 (.333) from three-point range. The Nets were outrebounded, 54-38, in the contest.

The Nets, who are closing out a two-day, two-game road trip, have posted just a 3-10 mark in foreign buildings this season.

New Jersey has won four straight in this series, including a 111-106 double- overtime victory on Nov. 5. The Nets have won six of seven and 10 of the last 12 meetings in this set. New Jersey has won its last two trips to the Windy City.