Nets Seek to Avoid Humiliation, Stay Alive Vs. Knicks

Desperate for a win, who better to play than the New York Knicks, the laughingstock that Isiah built. In recent years that meant an automatic win for the Nets, sporting an impeccable record during the Jason Kidd era, then that nasty migraine hit in December. This season, the Knicks have given the Nets headaches, sweeping the three meetings thus far. Monday night the Knicks look to sweep the season series for the first time since the strike shortened 1998-99 season, and the first four-game set since 1994-95.

Back to back weekend losses combined with Indiana and Atlanta win streaks leave the Nets tied with the Pacers, 1 ½ games behind the Hawks, in the race for eighth in the East, and a date with the Celtics in the playoffs. Following the Knicks, New Jersey has a home and away with Indiana to end a critical seven game stretch against lesser opponents before navigating the playoff heavyweights. So far, not so good - dropping three of four last week leave the Nets in a precarious position. Given the lighter schedule facing Atlanta and Indiana, a poor performance in the next three games could end the Nets chances.

Outside of Miami, who barely fields a team these days, the Knicks are the worst team in the NBA at this point in the season. Entering action tonight at 19-50, riding a four game losing streak, the last two against Minnesota and Memphis, teams with a combined 36-102 record, by double-digits. Toss in the daily Isiah Thomas-James Dolan soap opera, open rumors about possible replacements, and half the team on the bench with injuries, New York has lost 11 of its last 12, only beating the aforementioned Heat in that span – and barely at that. The Knicks are an utter disaster.

With only four wins away from home in the new year, the Nets need to take advantage of this cupcake to get their feet back under them away from Izod heading down the home stretch. Unfortunately the Knicks depleted active roster still includes Jamaal Crawford and Zach Randolph, two guys that tortured the Nets in the losses earlier this season. Surrounded with the likes of Randolph Morris, Fred Jones, Wilson Chandler, Malik Rose, and Reynaldo Balkman, coach Lawrence Frank must force anyone but Crawford and Randolph beat them. Saturday in Philadelphia, the Nets defense showed improvement, holding Philly to a sub-40% shooting night and 91 points, the lowest total in the past six games. Now they need the offense to get back on track quick. Consistency has eluded New Jersey all season. If they intend to turn the ship around, the Nets need a complete effort on both ends of the floor for the entire four quarters, night in and night out. Call it judgment week, call it must win, call it what you want, the Nets have no excuses for losing to this Knicks team tonight.