Jefferson, Nets eliminate Raptors

Richard Jefferson's spinning layup with 8.3 seconds remaining gave the hometown New Jersey Nets a 98-97 win over the deflated Toronto Raptors in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference quarter-final Friday night.

The Nets eliminated Toronto in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series, and willplay the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.

With the Nets trailing by one point, Jefferson made a strong move in the post against Toronto power forward Chris Bosh, and spun to his right before makingthe difficult layin.

"I think the play coach [Lawrence Frank] called, that's the beauty of this team," said New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd. "We don't care who scores or who gets the last play. I thought that was a great call for coach to go to R.J. to put pressure on the defence and R.J. made a heck of a shot."

The Raptors had an opportunity to win the game in the dying seconds in East Rutherford, N.J., but Jefferson intercepted a pass by point guard Jose Calderon that was intended for Bosh.

Bosh was open on the play, but Calderon didn't put enough air under his pass, allowing Jefferson to make the interception. It was Calderon's only error on the night.

"We executed the play we wanted," Bosh said. "Richard Jefferson made a super athletic play. If that ball gets over him, we probably win the game."

While Toronto goes home earlier than expected, the team made the playoffs for the first time in five years, winning the franchise's first division title with 47 victories.

"We were one play too short," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said.

Both Calderon and T.J. Ford played despitegetting injuredduring Game 5 on Tuesday night in the Raptors' home win thatcut the Nets' series lead to 3-2. Calderon sprained his right ankle, and Fordsufferedneck, shoulder and arm injuries.

On Friday, Kidd had another outstanding game for New Jersey, scoring 18 points and collecting eight rebounds.

Kidd, who averaged 14 points, 13.2 assists and 10 rebounds, became the first player to average a triple-double for a series since he did it against the Boston Celtics in 2002.

Jefferson added 24 points for the Nets, while Vince Carterhad 21.

"We're just a confident group," Jefferson said. "I wouldn't say that we felt we're as good as anybody; we just feel that if we're healthy, we can compete with anyone.

"That's not saying we can beat anyone. I said we can compete with anyone. That means if we do the things that we need to do, if we execute the way we execute and stay healthy, our record shows where we are and where our place is."

Bosh saved his best performance of the series for Friday's contest. He finished the night with 23 points, nine rebounds and seven rebounds for the Atlantic Division champions.