CLEVELAND – Vince Carter scored 27 points and the Nets continued their push for a playoff berth with a 110-80 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.

LeBron James scored 24 points, but could not keep Cleveland from its eighth loss in 12 games.

Nenad Krstic scored 18 points, Jason Kidd had 13 points and 12 assists, and the Nets made a season-high 13 3-pointers in their ninth win in 12 games.

New Jersey (36-39) moved within one game of Philadelphia for the eighth playoff spot in the East. The Nets also are battling Orlando for a berth and must finish ahead of the Magic, who hold the edge in the tiebreaker by winning three of four from New Jersey this season.

The Nets’ third win in four games against the Cavs gave them the tiebreaker over fading Cleveland (38-35).

The Cavaliers began the night tied for sixth place with Indiana, which beat the Knicks last night. Cleveland visits the Pacers tonight – and could be without center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Ilgauskas did not return after leaving with a sprained right ring finger with 7:03 to play in the third quarter.

James finally got a rest after playing 278 of a possible 289 minutes over a 10-game span. He came out with eight minutes to play and the Nets leading 92-71.

The Nets use an 18-4 first-half run to take a 34-25 lead. James then hit a 3-pointer, blocked a shot, and swished another 3-pointer in a span of 40 seconds to make it 34-31.

Carter quickly countered by sinking two of four consecutive 3-pointers by the Nets, who shot 6-for-9 from beyond the arc in the second quarter to take a 58-40 lead at halftime.