EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Richard Jefferson scored 28 points in another outstanding shooting performance and the Nets extended their winning streak to seven last night with a 96-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jefferson was 9-of-11 from the field a night after going 8-for-8 in a 109-101 win over the Knicks in New York.

Vince Carter, the Eastern Conference player of the week, was in foul trouble and played only 30 minutes, scoring 21 points. Jason Kidd fell just short of a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, and Nenad Krstic had 13 points.

LeBron James had 31 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, but Cleveland had its six-game winning streak snapped. Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 21 points and Larry Hughes added 16.

The Nets seemed on their way to an easy win until the Cavaliers, led by seven points from Ilgauskas, went on a 12-0 run to cut the Nets’ lead to 89-83.

Carter made one free throw with 21 seconds left and Snow made a layup before Kidd closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws.

The Nets overcame a slow start to take a 29-21 lead after one period. James scored Cleveland’s first seven points of the second as the Cavaliers cut the Nets’ lead to 33-28.

New Jersey regained control and closed the half with a 56-41 lead. The Cavaliers opened the third quarter with a 13-4 run,sparked by seven points from Ilgauskas, while New Jersey missed its first nine shots. Jefferson ended New Jersey’s field-goal drought with 5:52 left on a 3-pointer that gave the Nets a 64-54 lead. Kidd followed with a basket that restored New Jersey’s double-digit lead.

The game drew 20,098, the Nets’ third sellout.