The showdown with the Bulls in Chicago Saturday seemed like such a big deal for the Nets not too long ago. But with a just-ended five-game losing streak topping off a run of 17 losses in 23 games for the Nets, the game lost a lot of luster. It's not a matter of the Nets fighting for a playoff spot any more. It's a matter of the Nets fighting to stay alive as long as possible.
The recent reversals for the Nets, against elite teams like the Lakers and Cavs, plus not-so-elite teams like the Bucks and T-Wolves, emphasized how a sorry home-court start came back to haunt them. So the Nets (31-44) enter Saturday trailing the Bulls (36-40) by four-and-a-half games with seven to play. Do the math. And the news around the Nets these days is not really a playoff race -- that realistically ended a while back for the Nets. The news centers on coach Lawrence Frank, whose job security has come in question. Frank is the longest-tenured coach in the East. There were questions about whether the Nets had quit, but they responded with a rousing home win Wednesday.
The Bulls won two of the first three meetings with the Nets this season. On Dec. 13, in Chicago, Vince Carter scored 39 points for the Nets but it wasn't enough as Ben Gordon scored 29 points to lead six Bulls in double-figures.
The Bulls took the rematch in New Jersey, 100-87, on Dec. 29 again wasting a strong effort from Carter who scored 31 points. The Nets were clobbered, 30-15, in the fourth quarter. The Nets won the third meeting, in New Jersey, Feb. 25 when Devin Harris scored 42 points to lead a 111-99 victory.
NETS 111, PISTONS 98: The Nets who laid such disastrous eggs against the T-Wolves and Bucks this week were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the Nets who defended earlier in the season, the Nets who attacked and moved the ball most of the season, were on display. The Nets had six players, including all five starters, score in double-figures. Keyon Dooling, making his 12th start of the season, but first along with Devin Harris, scored a season high-tying 23 points. Harris added 19 points and 11 assists. Vince Carter, starting at small forward, scored 12 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists. The Nets took control early and never gave Detroit a realistic chance. The Nets moved to four-and-a-half games of eighth place with seven to play.
