Associated Press

East Rutherford, April 18:

Vince Carter had 43 points, Jason Kidd registered his 67th career triple-double and the New Jersey Nets took control of their playoff destiny with a 104-83 win over Philadelphia 76ers that prevented the 76ers from clinching a berth in the NBA post-season. Kidd finished with 11 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as the Nets won for the 13th time in 17 games to move into a tie with eighth-place Cleveland (40-40), a game behind Philadelphia (41-39) in the race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Each team has two games remaining. The 76ers, who missed the playoffs last season, can clinch one of the berths with either a win or a Nets’ or Cleveland loss. Philadelphia has home games with Milwaukee and Atlanta.

In Auburn Hills, Detroit Pistons overcame LeBron James’ 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to win their 10th straight game beating Cleveland Cavaliers 90-87 in over time. Cleveland has lost three straight and six of eight, and is in danger of finishing ninth in the Eastern Conference, behind New Jersey and Philadelphia, and out of the playoffs. The Cavaliers needed a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime, but James shot an airball over Tayshaun Prince just before the buzzer from above the key. In other matches, Boston Celtics beat Toronto Raptors 103-98; Dallas Mavericks beat Los Angeles Lakers 114-112; Washington

Wizards beat Charlotte Bobcats 106-104; Seattle SuperSonics beat Minnesota Timberwolves 109-94; Miami Heat beat Indiana Pacers 84-80; Atlanta Hawks beat New York Knicks 139-135; and Portland Trail Blazers beat Utah Jazz 100-82.