NBA: New Jersey 95, Washington 85

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Vince Carter scored eight of his 21 points in the final 7:30 Wednesday, helping New Jersey break open a close game and down Washington 95-85.

The season-opening contest was tied going into the fourth quarter and Washington held a one-point lead when Carter hit a jumper that put the Nets in front for good at 76-75. His field goal with 62 seconds left put New Jersey in front by eight, its biggest advantage of the night to that point.

Yi Jianlian, acquired in a trade from Milwaukee, added 17 points for the Nets and Jarvis Hayes had 14.

Washington was paced by Antawn Jamison and DeShawn Stevenson with 14 each.

Neither side had a lead of more than five points until New Jersey began to pull away down the stretch.