Or not.

For two-and-a-half games, the Nets have performed with only eight players as they fell victim to a near absurd run of early-season injuries and illnesses. But against the Magic, the Nets could get two players back. Chris Douglas-Roberts, who has missed three games with swine flu, and Courtney Lee, who strained his groin early in the third quarter last Friday, both could return for the ravaged Nets.

"The next guys I'd say that are close are Courtney and Chris, but there's no timetable. We'll see how they feel. I don't know when they'll be ready," offered coach Lawrence Frank, whose Nets will invade Orlando at 0-8, burdened by the worst start in the NBA history of the franchise.

And despite the terribly disappointing start in the standings, Frank is proud of how hard his team has played. And he noted that even with players returning, nothing is certain for the Nets.

"They've competed their tails off. Look, regardless of who we have -- it's not like coming back we have (Wilt) Chamberlain -- but my point is we need to be the hardest-working team," Frank said.

Friday's game, the start of a two-game Florida trip that also visits Miami Saturday, is the second meeting with the Magic. But it's the first return to Orlando for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and (injured) Tony Battie, traded after last season. The Nets again see former teammate Vince Carter who scored 16 points before spraining his ankle in Orlando's 95-85 victory Oct. 30. Dwight Howard had 20 points, 22 rebounds and dominated defensively for the Magic.

SIXERS 82, NETS 79: The Nets again had eight players available, using seven and again fought right down to the end game before a costly inbounds turnover on their final possession culminated a disastrous 5:31 endgame where they scored just four points. The Nets did what they wanted: They shortened the game and unleashed Brook Lopez (23 points, 14 rebounds) inside, and outside, too as Lopez mixed in some jumpers. But the lack of quality depth again proved too much to overcome.