The New Jersey Nets have never opened a season with six
straight losses and will try to avoid history tonight against the Philadelphia
76ers at the Wachovia Center.
New Jersey is 0-5 for the first time since the 1996-97 squad lost its initial
fives games under head coach John Calipari. It was pounded, 122-94, on
Wednesday by the Denver Nuggets at the IZOD Center, as Chris Douglas-Roberts
finished with 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a losing effort.
"It was a second-half game," said Douglas-Roberts, who is expected to miss
Friday's game with flu-like symptoms. "They turned it up, they went on runs
and we didn't respond. It's as simple as that."
Eduardo Najera and Brook Lopez registered 14 and 12 points, respectively, for
the Nets, who have been without star guard Devin Harris the last three games
because of a strained groin. Harris is averaging 15.0 points, 7.5 assists and
5.5 rebounds in two games this season, and is out indefinitely. Forward Yi
Jianlian is also out with a right MCL injury.
The 76ers will finish a three-game set against Atlantic Division foes this
evening after beating New York and losing to Boston. They suffered a 105-74
beating by the Celtics on Tuesday, as Boston shot 56.9 percent from the field
and a spectacular 70 percent (14-of-20) from three-point range to end Philly's
brief two-game winning streak.
Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 17 points, while Thaddeus Young ended with
11 points and Samuel Dalembert had eight to go along with eight rebounds.
"We understand we have to step our game up against these better teams," said
Iguodala. "For whatever reason it is we have to hold some composure a little
more."
New Jersey swept the four-game season series with Philadelphia a year ago and
is 8-4 over the previous 12 matchups with the Sixers. The Nets have won two in
a row and three of four trips to the Wachovia Center.
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