EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Jason Kidd and Vince Carter helped the Nets take a positive feeling into the All-Star break. Kidd had his 64th career triple double and Carter scored 21 points to lead the Nets past the Sacramento Kings 96-85 last night.

Carter reached 20 points for the 11th straight game and the 17th time in the last 18. Kidd finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for his third triple-double in the last six games.

Rookie Nenad Krstic scored a career-best 18 points for the Nets, who are trying to make a run at the up-for-grabs Atlantic Division title.

“We know our backs are against the wall and every game counts for us,” said Kidd. “We have to minimize our losses and can’t afford a losing streak. We’ve been playing well over the last month. This gives us a big win to end the first half and gives us something to build on.”

Mike Bibby had 25 points to lead the Kings, who lost for the sixth time in the last seven games. Cuttino Mobley had 16 points, while Chris Webber had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Sacramento. Maurice Evans had 10 points for the Kings before fouling out.

In contrast to the Nets, the Kings limp into the break.

“The only thing saving my feelings right now is that it’s the All-Star break,” said Webber. “We have a lot of guys hurting. That’s not an excuse. Everybody needs to rest, mentally and physically, over the break.”

Clifford Robinson, who just joined the Nets, had little time to adapt.

“He had about an hour to digest what we do,” said Nets coach Lawrence Frank. “Cliff obviously is going to be a big part of the plan. We’ll wait and see just how much he can contribute.”

Robinson scored nine points.