Carter Starts Strong, Ends Hurt as Nets Fall
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.- Vince Carter scored 23 points in his debut with the Nets, but left in overtime with a cramp in his left hamstring, and New Jersey fell to the Detroit Pistons 100-90 last night.
Carter, traded from Toronto to New Jersey on December 17, hadn’t played since straining his Achilles’ tendon on December 8, also at the Palace. He didn’t start, but played 42 minutes and shot 8-of-19. Carter limped off the court with 2:13 left in overtime with the cramp and didn’t return.
After the game, the newly acquired guard said it was not serious and he would not miss any time. But Carter has a history of injuries, and the sight of the former Raptor limping off the court with the help of teammates and trainers was not a comforting one.
Richard Hamilton scored a season-best 37 points for the Pistons, and Tayshaun Prince had 18 points and nine rebounds, and matched a career high with seven assists for Detroit, which overcame a late eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter and set it to overtime.
The Nets got the first basket of the extra period, but misfired on their next six possessions and allowed Detroit to pull away for the easy win.
Richard Jefferson had 27 points for the Nets, but Jason Kidd scored just two on 0-for-8 shooting.
Detroit led early, but Carter’s 14 points helped the Nets take a 48-38 halftime lead. Carter also had two of New Jersey’s six first half steals.
The Pistons got as close as two in the third, but a late spurt by the Nets made it a 66-61 game heading into the fourth quarter.
New Jersey led 84-76 with 3:31 left, but four points from Hamilton and two free throws by Chauncey Billups got Detroit within 84-82 with 2:08 to go.
Jefferson missed a jumper, and Billups gave Detroit its first lead since the first quarter with a 3-pointer. The Nets missed three shots on the ensuing possession, but kept getting to loose balls, and Billups fouled Jason Collins. He made both free throws, putting New Jersey back in front, but Hamilton’s layup gave Detroit an 87-86 lead.
Kidd missed a 3-pointer, but Wallace’s short jumper bounced off the rim and he fouled Nenad Kristic going for the rebound. The rookie made the first free throw, tying the game with 19 seconds left, but missed the second.
Wallace had a chance to win the game in regulation, but missed at the buzzer.
