Carter leads Nets into Playoffs, Cavs miss out
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-21 13:53

Vince Carter scored 37 points to help the New Jersey Nets clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 102-93 road win over the Boston Celtics on the last day of the regular season Wednesday.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James drives to the hoop on Toronto Raptors forward Morris Peterson during the first half of their NBA game in Toronto, April 20, 2005. [Reuters]

Even with the Cleveland Cavaliers (42-40) winning in Toronto, the Nets (42-40) claimed the eighth playoff spot in the East with a come-from-behind win that capped a strong second half of the season with a postseason berth.

Carter helped the Nets overcome a 19-point second quarter deficit, giving New Jersey the last remaining playoff spot by virtue of a better head-to-head record against Cleveland over the season.

The Nets open the playoffs against the Heat Sunday in Miami. Boston, who had already clinched the East's third seed, plays at home in the first round against the Indiana Pacers.

New Jersey out-scored Boston 32-8 in the third quarter to take the lead for good as the Celtics rested starters Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce in the fourth quarter.

Jason Kidd had 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Nets, while Nenad Krstic added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Paul Pierce had 21 points to lead Boston while Delonte West added 15.

In other games, LeBron James had 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists to power the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 104-95 win over the Raptors in Toronto.

Despite the victory, the Cavaliers missed the playoffs after the New Jersey Nets also won.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ira Newble each scored 20 points for the Cavs.

Jalen Rose was the top scorer for the Raptors with 25 points.

In Philadelphia, Kyle Korver scored 21 points and Allen Iverson added 16 to help the 76ers to a 110-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Willie Green and Josh Davis each scored 16 points from the bench for the 76ers.

Tyronn Lue scored 20 points and Josh Smith added 18 points and 13 rebounds.

In Orlando, Keyon Dooling scored a team-high 19 points to help the Miami Heat to a 98-93 win over the Magic.

Christian Laettner added 14 points for the Heat, who won their third straight game despite missing Shaquille O Neal due to injury.

Steve Francis and Dwight Howard each scored 21 points for Orlando.

In Charlotte, Emeka Okafor totaled 16 points and 19 rebounds to pace the Bobcats to a 97-86 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Keith Bogans scored 17 points and Brevin Knight chipped in with 14 points and 13 assists.

Ben Wallace had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who lost for the first time in 12 games.

In Houston, Mike James scored 24 points to help the Rockets ease past the Seattle SuperSonics 106-78.

Bob Sura scored 18 points for the Rockets, who had six players score into double digits.

Ronald Murray was Seattle's top scorer with 22 points.

In Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson scored 17 points, including a pair of free throws with five seconds left on the clock to help the Pacers edge the Chicago Bulls 85-83.

Jermaine O'Neal scored 21 points and Anthony Johnson came off the bench to add 20 points.

Jannero Pargo put in 17 points for the Bulls.

In New Orleans, Elton Brand had 18 points and 14 rebounds that helped the Los Angeles Clippers to an 86-75 win over the Hornets. Shaun Livingston scored 17 points and Marko Jaric and Bobby Simmons each added 14 points.

Rookie J.R. Smith led the Hornets with 15 points.

In New York, Jamal Crawford scored 36 points to lead the Knicks to a 113-105 win over the Washington Wizards.

Stephon Marbury scored 20 points while Michael Sweetney had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Kurt Thomas added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Gilbert Arenas scored 25 points for Washington and Etan Thomas had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

In Minnesota, Kevin Garnett had 15 points and 11 rebounds to push the Timberwolves to a 95-73 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Trenton Hassell scored 19 points and Michael Olowokandi contributed 10 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota.

Glenn Robinson led the Spurs with 16 points.

In Memphis, Josh Howard poured in 27 points to give the Dallas Mavericks a 108-88 win over the Grizzlies.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points for the Mavericks, who finished the regular season with nine straight wins.

Pau Gasol scored 18 points for Memphis.

In Portland, Travis Outlaw scored 20 points, including the game-winning basket, as the Trail Blazers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 106-103.

Kobe Bryant had 37 points for L.A.

In Oakland, Baron Davis had 23 points and nine assists as the Golden State Warriors beat the Utah Jazz 106-89.

Matt Harpring had had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz.

In Sacramento, Cuttino Mobley, Darius Songaila and Corliss Williamson all scored 19 points as the Kings beat the Phoenix Suns 132-107.

Amare Stoudemire had 30 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns.

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