One of the NBA's hottest teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, close out their season series with the Nets in New Jersey Tuesday.
And while the Nets will be fighting for their playoff lives, the Sixers will be fighting for better playoff seeding. And who would have figured that back in November? The Sixers took the most recent meeting between the teams, 91-87, in Philadelphia March 22 when Andre Iguodala scored 28 points and the Nets collapsed offensively in the fourth quarter, scoring just 12 points. Vince Carter scored 27 for the Nets but missed two big jumpers down the stretch.
The Nets rallied from an 18-point deficit at home Dec. 1. Philly led 53-35 in the third quarter, but the Nets eventually forced overtime and emerged with a 94-92 win. Vince Carter, still in a bench role following his five-game absence to mend a right ankle sprain, led the Nets with 124 points, and Iguodala scored 24 for the Sixers.
Richard Jefferson scored 22 points and Jason Kidd had his first triple double of the season in the Nets' 93-88 win in Philadelphia Nov. 3. Iguodala topped the Sixers with 16 points.
SUNS 110, NETS 104: The Nets gave it everything they had. It wasn't enough. And now, they just might not have enough time left to make it to the playoffs.
The Nets outplayed the Suns in the first half Saturday and still trailed by one point at halftime. And then the Suns took control in the third quarter and held off a determined fourth quarter rally to win at New Jersey.
The setback dropped the Nets two full games -- and three in the loss column -- behind Atlanta for the eighth and final Eastern playoff spot. The Nets have eight games remaining, including five on the road, where they are just 12-24 this season.
Vince Carter scored 32 points, Richard Jefferson had 20 and Devin Harris scored 13 and chipped in seven assists for the Nets, who were overwhelmed inside by Amare Stoudemire (33 points, 15 rebounds).
