CLEVELAND, Dec. 9 (Ticker) -- Vince Carter helped the New Jersey Nets build a big lead. Once they blew it, Richard Jefferson put them back in control.

Carter collected a season-high 38 points and 11 rebounds while Jefferson added nine of his 18 points in the final five-plus minutes as the Nets came away with a 109-100 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

NBA TV highlights from Nets-Cavaliers: Play

On 15-of-21 shooting, Carter powered New Jersey, which led by double digits throughout much of the contest, including an 82-72 advantage in the opening stages of the final period.

After making just 1-of-6 shots in the first quarter, LeBron James was 10-of-20 the rest of the way and finished with 32 points as Cleveland chipped away at the deficit. Donyell Marshall, who scored 16 points off the bench, capped a 14-4 run that gave the Cavaliers a 90-89 edge with 6:08 to play.

Trailing for the first time since the early moments, the Nets answered with a 9-0 spurt as Jefferson scored seven points. His driving layups on consecutive possessions gave New Jersey the 98-90 lead with 3:20 remaining and the club was never headed thereafter.

Jason Kidd and Nenad Krstic added 16 points apiece for the Nets, who shot 57 percent (40-of-70) as they won their fourth straight road game. Kidd also chipped in eight assists.

Cleveland, which was an Eastern Conference-best 7-1 at home entering the game, got 22 points from All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas but shot just 43 percent (34-of-79).