The New Jersey Nets are going to the playoffs this year while LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are staying home. Vince Carter led the way with 37 points to lead New Jersey to a 102-93 win over the Boston Celtics. With the win, the Nets clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and sent the Cavs home despite Cleveland's 104-95 victory over Toronto. The Nets won the last playoff spot because they won the season series from the Cavaliers. Both teams finished the regular season with 42-40 records.

Nets coach Lawrence Frank had nothing but praise for Carter who scored 24 of his 37 points in the second half. 'Vince has carried us since he's been here,' Frank said after the game. 'Vince, time after time after time, delivers.'

So the playoff matchups in the NBA have been decided. In round one, New Jersey will take on Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat; the defending champion Pistons will play the Philadelphia 76ers; the Boston Celtics will oppose the Indiana Pacers and the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls meet in the other Eastern Conference matchup.

In the Western Conference, Memphis opposes top seeded Phoenix; the Denver Nuggets hook up with the San Antonio Spurs; Sacramento takes on Seattle and Houston and Dallas battle each other for Texas bragging rights and a spot in the second round of the playoffs.

The first round series are best four out of seven and begin Saturday and Sunday.