Nets go for 12th win in a row at home against Knicks

New Jersey’s latest win at home came on Monday, as Richard Jefferson had 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead the Nets past the Hornets, 99-91.

Vince Carter contributed 21 points and Jason Kidd netted 14, grabbed nine boards and dished out 11 assists for the Nets, who are two wins away from tying the franchise record for consecutive home wins, set in the 2001-02 season and matched in 2002-03.

Nenad Krstic scored 16 points for New Jersey, which has won two in a row overall.

The Nets, who have not lost at home since falling to the Charlotte Bobcats back on December 14, are in the midst of a five-game homestand and are 15-6 in their arena this season.

New York, meanwhile, continued its miserable season on Tuesday as it dropped an 85-82 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Rose netted 23 points for the Knicks, who have lost 12 of 13.

Eddy Curry chipped in 14 points while Jamal Crawford had 10 points in the loss.

New York made it interesting down the stretch, as Rose scored four consecutive points with a driving layup and a pair of free throws to make it 83-82 with 28 seconds on the clock.

Elton Brand then missed a long jumper and New York corralled the rebound giving the struggling Knicks 2.2 seconds to pull off the miracle.

However, Rose was unable to get the ball inbounds and was called for a five- second violation to turn the ball back over to the Clippers, who hit a pair of free throws.

New York was again forced to play without star guard Stephon Marbury, who missed his third straight game with a shoulder injury. Marbury could be sidelined up until after the All-Star break.

The Knicks, who will also visit New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Houston and Dallas on this trek, have lost five in a row on the road and are a dismal 4-18 away from home this season.

New Jersey defeated the Knicks earlier in the season and has won four straight and five of the last six meetings. New York has also dropped eight of nine and nine of 12 in the Garden State.