EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Vince Carter and Jason Kidd applied the pressure early, and the Nets never let up in a victory they needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Carter scored 31 points and Kidd Carter, as he did all game, stepped up by making a 3-pointer to restore a double-digit advantage.

“He’s very physical and incredibly athletic and he’s kind of on a roll right now,” Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy had eight points and 13 assists last night in a 95-78 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

“Our intensity came out right off the bat,” Kidd said. “We followed Vince, and Vince was awesome tonight.”

Nenad Krstic added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, Brian Scalabrine scored 12, and Jacque Vaughn 10 as the Nets won for the seventh time in nine games. New Jersey – trying to break into the top eight in the East -remained 10th in the conference, a half-game behind Orlando.

“From where we started, making the playoffs would be great with all the ups and downs we’ve had all season,” Kidd said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, no matter what seed. We just want to get in.”

Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 17 points as Los Angeles lost its third straight and extended its road losing streak to five. Rick Brunson had 13 and Shaun Livingston 10.

The Nets led 52-38 at the half before the Clippers made a push to start the third quarter. Los Angeles connected on its first four shots as Maggette, Marko Jaric, Livingston, and Elton Brand scored to trim New Jersey’s lead to 54-46. said of Carter. “He’s a tough matchup for us.”

The Clippers remained within range until Kidd, who did not score in the first half, got his first points on consecutive 3-pointers to give the Nets a 69-54 lead. New Jersey went on to build an 83-63 advantage after three quarters.

Carter and Kidd got the Nets rolling with a 13-4 lead as Carter scored seven points and Kidd had five assists. The final basket of the run was a spectacular dunk by Carter as Kidd laid the ball high off the glass for the alley-oop.

“I was just running, always looking and trying to react,” Carter said. “Jason is great with his ability to do so many things. He plays with a high basketball IQ and makes everybody better.”

The Clippers cut the Nets’ lead to three at the end of the quarter, 28-25. Maggette paced the Clippers with eight points in the period.

Carter came out firing to start the second period, scoring the first seven points, and the Clippers wilted. New Jersey extended its lead to 52-38 at the half as Carter led the way with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Kidd, even with no points, still had a major impact with nine assists.