With the record dropping to a season-worst seven games under .500 at 20-27, most stats go the same negative way for the Nets. But they have one positive still hanging around: they are 8-5 in the second game of back-to-back sets.
But that success will be sorely tested Saturday in Philadelphia. The Nets are coming off a loss in Atlanta and stay on the road to face the surging Sixers, who are coming off a home win Friday. The Sixers, though, suffered a big jolt Friday in their 10-point win over the hapless Wizards. Center Samuel Dalembert, who has played 235 straight games, is doubtful after spraining his left ankle. So Elton Brand likely will start for the Sixers. Brand, back for only four games after dislocating his shoulder, has been coming off the bench. He scored nine points Friday as the Sixers moved above .500 (23-22) for the first time in more than two months. Rookie 7-0 center Brook Lopez becomes a huge weapon for the Nets if Dalembert sits. The Sixers, 14-8 since Mo Cheeks was fired, started a seven-game homestand Friday.
This is the second meeting of the season between the two Atlantic Division rivals. The Nets beat the Sixers, 95-84, in Philadelphia Dec. 6. Devin Harris had 27 points, eight assists and four steals. Vince Carter chipped in a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.
HAWKS 105, NETS 88: The Nets continued their struggles as their push to regain a foothold in the playoff positioning again faltered with their eighth defeat in nine games. The Nets were within two points at halftime but were overpowered in the second half, 50-35. Four starters scored at least 15 points but the bench contributed just 16 points -- seven less than Flip Murray alone scored in reserve for the Hawks. All-Star Devin Harris scored 20 points, Vince Carter scored 18 but the high-powered backcourt pair shot just 11-of-31 combined. All-Star Joe Johnson topped the Hawks with 29 points.
