
The Nets really wanted to go into the All-Star break on a positive note, hoping to rebound from eight losses in nine games.
So far, so good. But it only gets tougher. The Nets bring a four-game winning streak -- the last a rout of mighty Denver -- into Orlando Sunday night. The Magic, comfortably atop the Southeast for now, seek to hold it together after losing point guard Jameer Nelson for the season with a torn labrum.
So the Magic plugged in Anthony Johnson, meaning the Nets will have a reunion for the third time in four games with a member of their 2002 and 2003 Finals teams. They saw Richard Jefferson with Milwaukee last week, Kenyon Martin with Denver on Saturday and now Johnson.
All-Star Dwight Howard, who leads the NBA in rebounds and blocked shots, and Nets rookie Brook Lopez are featured in the matchup at center, perhaps the game's most intriguing duel.
The Nets have lost four of five to the Magic. The one win came in the second meeting last season when they beat the Magic, 96-95, as a pair of Vince Carter free throws held up when the Nets stopped the Magic on the final sequence.
Howard averaged 18.0 points and 13.8 rebounds in the Magic's 3-1 season series victory last year while Rashard Lewis was Orlando's top scorer at 21.3. Carter led the Nets' scoring at 20.7.
NETS 114, DENVER 70: In tying their second-largest victory ever, the Nets placed all five starters in double figures and had a sixth double-digit scorer come off the bench. The Nets led by 20 at halftime and never let up, pummeling the Nuggets on both ends. Devin Harris, in attack mode all game, led all scorers with 28 points -- while shooting 17 free throws. Brook Lopez scored 15 points but missed his fourth straight double-double by one rebound. Ryan Anderson had his first double-double. Carmelo Anthony was the only Nugget in double figures, and he had only 15 points.