Nets Blast Sixers; Slim Still in Town

Vince Carter led a balanced scoring attack for New Jersey as the Nets drilled visiting Philadelphia, 96-67, to keep themselves mathematically available for a postseason berth.

Carter scored 15 points for the winners, who used a second-quarter outburst to take a 50-39 halftime lead. New Jersey then outscored Philadelphia 18-12 in the third quarter and 28-16 in the fourth to coast to the easy win.

Reserve Bobby Simmons scored 14 points, while Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Jarvis Hayes and Chris-Douglas Roberts each added 13. Keyon Dooling was the seventh Net to score in double figures with 10 points.

In order for the Nets to make the playoffs, they have to win all five of their final games and Detroit must lose all of its remaining five.

Reserve Lou Williams led the playoff-bound 76ers with 14 points.