CLEVELAND — Richard Jefferson scored a season-high 36 points, Vince Carter added 19 and the Nets took advantage of LeBron James’s absence, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 100–79 last night.

Jefferson and Carter led the Nets on a 9–0 run to start the third quarter, opening a lead that the Cavaliers were incapable of challenging.

Jason Kidd didn’t even play the fourth quarter, finishing his night early with seven points, six assists, and 10 rebounds.

Cleveland looked lost on both ends of the court without James, who missed his third straight game because of a sprained left index finger.

The Cavaliers have lost four straight and are 0–3 without their superstar forward, falling to 9–10. Coach Mike Brown wouldn’t comment before the game on whether James’ injury is taking longer to heal than first anticipated. James was hurt Wednesday in a loss to Detroit, when Nazr Mohammed slapped at the ball as James began to shoot.

The Nets shot 51.5% and even got some offensive production from Jason Collins, who had a season-high seven points.

New Jersey bounced back from a 118–95 loss at Detroit on Sunday and improved to 5–3 on the road. Shannon Brown got the start in place of James and sparked the Cavaliers early, but it wasn’t enough. He finished with season highs in several categories, including points (20) and minutes (37).