Nets duo posts triple-doubles in same game

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Vince Carter and Jason Kidd are now in the same category with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, at least when it comes to triple-doubles.

Carter and Kidd became the first teammates with triple-doubles in the same game since Jordan and Pippen in 1989, leading the New Jersey Nets to a 120-114 overtime victory over the injury-ravaged Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

"You can't beat that one," Carter said of the comparison to the two former Chicago Bulls greats. "That's nice company."

Jordan had 41 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while Pippen added 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in Chicago's 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 3, 1989.

The combination of Kidd, Carter and Richard Jefferson was just too much for the banged up Wizards, who lost their fourth straight game.

Carter matched his season high with 46 points, added a career-best 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Kidd tied a career high with 16 rebounds, equaled his season high with 18 assists and added a late free throw for 10 points. Jefferson matched his season high with 27 points, including six of the Nets' franchise-record 17 3-pointers. Carter had seven long-range baskets.

"I've been trying for a long time," Carter said of his third career triple-double. "It's a special night. I'm not used to it. I was just trying to do whatever I needed to do for the team. For me, I wanted to help on the boards and make plays because guys were hitting shots."

The triple-double was the 11th of the season and 86th of his career for Kidd, who was a turnover away from a dubious quadruple-double.

"I don't know how many Vince had tonight, but he was off the charts tonight," Kidd said. "He was aggressive. He found the open guy and made all the right plays. That's what Vince does. Tonight he filled up his stat sheet. I wish I could have a triple-double like that."

Still, the Nets almost gave the game away, squandering a three-point lead in the closing seconds of regulation.

Antawn Jamison, who had a season-high 37 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds to go to force the overtime on a play that the Nets intended to foul line.

"I was late getting over and I didn't want to foul him," Kidd said.