NEW JERSEY NETS
Recap Rewind: The New Jersey Nets finished the season on a strong note and their final push not only secured their playoff spot, but vaulted them into the 6th Eastern Conference playoff spot… Since the Tuesday before last, the Nets won games in Washington, Indiana and New York as well as once again at home against the Knicks… Their only losses in the last two weeks of the season came to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls (twice).
Notable News: Vince Carter topped his own franchise record for total points in a season on April 10; he finished the season with 2,046 points. Also in that game against Washington, Jason Kidd came 4 points shy of logging a triple double. Kidd finished with 14 rebounds and 11 assists… The Nets clinched their playoff spot with a win over New York on Friday, and Jason Kidd added his 87th career triple double to boot. Kidd finished the game with 13 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists… Bostjan Nachbar continued to prove that he can be a legit threat for the Nets, especially after going 6-6 from three-point range in Sunday’s win over the Pacers… Vince Carter added his second triple double of the season on Monday night against the Knicks, scoring 29 points while adding 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Fast Forward: With their win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday the New Jersey Nets snuck into sixth place in the East. They now face the Toronto Raptors… Had the Nets lost to the Bulls on Wednesday, they would have had to meet Chicago in the first round… The Nets split the series with the Raptors this season, with both teams winning their games at home… The first round should be an interesting series for all of those involved. Not only does it mark the first time since 1987 that New Jersey made the playoffs in three consecutive years, but it also marks Vince Carter’s return to Toronto… The last time Toronto reached the playoffs they were led by Carter, and Raptors fans haven’t forgotten his messy exit.