Sorry, just got home from school and loaded with homework. ESPN Game Preview: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers both are coming off buzzer-beater losses despite standout performances from their leading scorers. Those players will try to get their teams back on track when the Atlantic Division rivals meet Monday. New Jersey (22-26) is trying to avoid its fourth straight loss after falling to Atlanta 101-99 in overtime on Sunday. The Nets' Vince Carter tied the game on a 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining in the extra session, but Tyronn Lue drained a 23-footer at the final buzzer to hand the Nets their fourth late loss in the last eight games. New Jersey's previous two defeats in their current skid came by a combined 57 points, so their latest was even more disappointing. "It's a tough loss," said Carter, who is averaging 25.0 points for the Nets. "We can't be inconsistent and up and down during the course of the game. With us down bodies, we have to come out and play hard and scrappy from start to finish." Carter did his part recording 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while Jason Kidd had a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists. Both are reserves on the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Marcus Williams, who was chosen to play in the Rookie Challenge, continues to be a bright spot off the bench, averaging 13.4 points over the last seven games, a big jump from his 7.2 season mark. He scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and overtime on Sunday. To snap their three-game losing streak, the Nets will likely need a better showing from the free-throw line. They have hit just 34 of 60 over the last two games and missed all eight attempts in the fourth quarter against the Hawks. Carter drained 8 of 9 from the line on Dec. 2 en route to a season-high 41 points in a 112-107 win over the Sixers. He also grabbed eight rebounds and will look for a similar performance Monday. The Sixers (15-33) had won four of six before Golden State's Al Harrington scored the game-winner with 1.2 seconds left to beat them 102-101 on Friday. Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala notched his third career triple-double and second of the season with 25 points, a career-high 13 assists and 10 rebounds. "He's growing up right in front of our eyes," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said of Iguodala. "The things that he is doing and the plays that he is making are going to carry us for a long time as we continue to play." Iguodala is averaging 23.3 points over the last eight games, a boost from his team-leading 17.3 season average. He may have trouble maintaining that strong play as he has been held to 11 or fewer points in eight of his nine career meetings with the Nets. Andre Miller scored 19 points on Friday and Rodney Carney added 15 to improve his average to 11.1 points in seven straight starts. He scored 20 points in that earlier season loss to New Jersey. The Sixers are playing the second of seven straight at home while the Nets are opening a three-game road trip. </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Mercury Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nets are falling apart again.</div> This team can not close out.
Lol, I think that was a two. His foot looked like it was on the line, but you can't blame the officials, because even with the replays it's hard to tell. Weird game.
<div class="quote_poster">Mercury Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Lol, I think that was a two. His foot looked like it was on the line, but you can't blame the officials, because even with the replays it's hard to tell. Weird game.</div> Lol, yeah it looked like a two. We've been screwed before, I guess the refs are trying to get even with us.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Go Nets!!!!</div> Good luck with Oden or Durant.
We lost again. However I understand our theory now. We are tanking in to get Oden, while attempting to look good. Your a genius Thorn. Kidd 14 pts 7 rebs 8 asts Carter 23 pts 10 rebs 5 asts Moore 11 pts 8 rebs Robinson 9 pts Williams 5 pts 5 asts House 15 pts 5 asts Nachbar 12 pts BoxScore
That's ridiculous. Another heart breaking win for us in overtime. Can't we ever catch a freaking break?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> We are tanking in to get Oden, while attempting to look good. Your a genius Thorn. </div> We currently have too many wins to compete for Oden. Unless we lose every game from here on out, we won't be in the running.
Geez, you guys are making the race real easy with losses against such easy teams. I thought this was the stretch where you'd be able to catch up and even surpass us, because we have a tougher schedule. btw, draft Spencer Hawes.
<div class="quote_poster">nextlevelgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We currently have too many wins to compete for Oden. Unless we lose every game from here on out, we won't be in the running.</div> Yea I know. I was being sarcastic.
