By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS – Vince Carter scored 39 points, including 14 in the third quarter when the Nets pulled away, and New Jersey beat the Indiana Pacers 94-85 Sunday for a season-best fourth straight win.

The Nets, who trailed most of the first quarter, took the lead in the second period and broke the game open in the third behind Carter and rookie center Nenad Krstic.

Two straight baskets by Krstic off assists from Jason Kidd and a basket by Carter put New Jersey up by 10 early in the third quarter.

Raptors 105, Cavaliers 98

TORONTO – LeBron James became the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game, but his franchise-record 56 weren’t enough to prevent the Toronto Raptors from beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-98 on Sunday.

James easily surpassed his previous career best of 43 points, set Nov. 24 against Detroit.

However, he committed a key turnover with 16 seconds left and missed a pair of 3-point attempts in the final 14 seconds.

Pistons 110, Spurs 101

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Despite losing Tim Duncan moments after the tip, San Antonio put together a gritty performance against the Detroit Pistons in a possible preview of the NBA Finals.

Chauncey Billups scored 25 points, including five straight late after the Spurs pulled within two, to lead a balanced attack in Detroit’s 110-101 victory over San Antonio on Sunday – the Pistons’ 12th straight home win.

Suns 97, Memphis 91

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Joe Johnson scored 28 points, including a 3-pointer with half a minute to play, to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 97-91 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

Steve Nash had 13 points and 13 assists for the Suns, while Shawn Marion had 14 points and 16 rebounds. Phoenix also got 18 points from Quentin Richardson and 15 points from Amare Stoudemire. Johnson hit four of his five 3-point attempts.

‘Wolves 94, Rockets 86

MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin Garnett had 30 points, 17 rebounds and six assists to lead the Timberwolves to a 94-86 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

The Timberwolves started the day 21/2 games behind Denver for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and now have just 14 games to make up the ground.

Garnett scored 13 of his points in the third quarter, when the Timberwolves took advantage of poor shooting by Tracy McGrady and the Rockets to pull away.