East Rutherfoprd, N.J. ? The New Jersey Nets have six days off to savor their current eight-game winning streak.

In a scheduling quirk, the Nets don’t play again until they entertain Orlando on Jan. 6. Vince Carter scored 37 points, and reserve guard Jacque Vaughn had six late in the fourth quarter to give the Nets a 99-91 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

“It gives all your nagging injuries a chance to heal a little faster,” Carter said. “Everybody deserves it. Everybody is committed to this team. We’ve turned things around.”

Richard Jefferson had 21 points and shot 11-of-13 from the free-throw line for the Nets, whose streak is fourth-longest in franchise history and six short of the record set in 2003-04. Jason Kidd also scored 21 points and added nine assists.

Al Harrington had 26 points for Atlanta. Joe Johnson had 20 and Tyronn Lue 18 for the Hawks, who lost their third straight.

“I don’t have any complaints with our crew,” said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. “They are playing hard, and we have been in every game we’ve played this year.”

It was a close game throughout, with 25 lead changes and wasn’t decided until Vaughn gave the Nets the lead for good – at 85-84 – with a jumper with 4:53 remaining.

“Our best players trusted that I would shoot the ball and knock down shots,” Vaughn said. “It feels good and builds a team kinship that helps us now and down the line.”

Kings 116, Celtics 112

Sacramento, Calif. – Mike Bibby had 33 points and 10 assists, Kenny Thomas added a season-high 29 points, and Sacramento beat Boston. Kevin Martin scored a career-best 22 points for the Kings. Peja Stojakovic, Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim all missed the game because of injuries, but Sacramento won its second straight without three of its top four scorers.

Grizzlies 93, Trail Blazers 90

Portland, Ore. – Mike Miller scored 15 of his 23 points in the second quarter, and Memphis held on to beat Portland. Pau Gasol added 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Memphis.

Bucks 113, Knicks 108

Milwaukee – Mo Williams scored 30 points, and Michael Redd added 22 to lead Milwaukee past New York. Williams, starting at point guard while T.J. Ford misses two weeks due to a sprained foot, led the Bucks’ dynamic backcourt as Milwaukee improved to 14-1 when scoring more than 100 points. The Knicks dropped to 7-21 – matching their worst start since 1986-87.

Heat 128, Wizards 113

Washington – Gilbert Arenas’ career-high 47 points weren’t enough to end Washington’s streak of futility against Miami, which made it 14 in a row over its Southeast Division rival. Dwyane Wade scored 34 points, Shaquille O’Neal had 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Antoine Walker had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Heat.

Suns 110, Bobcats 100

Charlotte, N.C. – Eddie House scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead Phoenix over Charlotte.

Warriors 111, Mavericks 109

Dallas – Baron Davis scored a season-high 34 points, including the go-ahead basket with .5 seconds left, to lift Golden State past Dallas. Jason Richardson had 32 points, and Troy Murphy contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors.

Magic 107, Timberwolves 87

Orlando, Fla. – Jameer Nelson scored a season-high 25 points to lead Orlando over Minnesota. Steve Francis added 21 points and Grant Hill 17 for the Magic, who have won three straight after losing nine of their previous 11. Dwight Howard had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season. Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves with 29 points.

Raptors 99, Pacers 97

Indianapolis – Mike James scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead Toronto over Indiana. Charlie Villanueva had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Chris Bosh added 22 points and 12 boards for the Raptors.