New Jersey Nets Basketball Blog

After a dismal shooting first half, the New Jersey Nets looked like they were headed to their fourth loss in five games.

"We couldn't hit a shot (in the first half)," said Nets forward Richard Jefferson, who made five free throws down the stretch to pace the Nets to a 79-74 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

"Fortunately we were still playing some pretty good defense so we had a chance in that second half to come back.

Nets 79, Celtics 74

Allen Iverson had 40 points and 10 assists, and the Philadelphia 76ers remained tied for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 116-96 win over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night. Chris Webber, back in the lineup after missing two games with a lower back strain, added 18 points for Philadelphia, which is tied for the No.

NBA Capsules (AP)

Allen Iverson and Chris Webber did not play because of injuries, did not show up in the locker room until tipoff and missed the Philadelphia 76ers' 91-88 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.

The 76ers will fine Iverson and Webber for not being at the arena 90 minutes before the game against the Nets, and the duo might not make the trip to close out the season in Charlotte on Wednesday.

Iverson, Webber miss game, will be fined

Allen Iverson and Chris Webber were probably hurt, definitely late, nowhere to be seen and left with a whole lot of explaining to do to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The fans were upset, team president Billy King was irate and coach Maurice Cheeks looked like a fool.

So much for that veteran leadership.

76ers 91, Nets 88

New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson was fined $5,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for kicking a ball into the stands. The incident happened Sunday during the second quarter of the Nets' 95-83 victory in Milwaukee.

Nets' Jefferson fined for kicking ball into stands (AP)

A year ago, the Chicago Bulls rolled into the playoffs. Now, they're fighting and clawing to get there. And on Tuesday night, they showed some resolve. Ben Gordon scored 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, leading the short-handed Bulls over the New Jersey Nets 104-101 and into a tie with Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.

Bulls 104, Nets 101 (AP)

--The Nets are either really hot -- or really not -- this season. As forward Richard Jefferson pointed out, nearly half of their 42 victories have come in streaks -- they had a 10-game streak earlier this season, a feat they duplicated when they beat the Grizzlies Wednesday in New Jersey. "Of our wins, like half of them have been on a streak.

New Jersey Nets Notes, Quotes

The last time the Nets went to Atlanta, it was a disaster, even though three players scored 20-plus points. Getting 22 points each from Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter, plus 21 points by Nenad Krstic could not avert a 104-102 overtime loss in Atlanta on Feb. 27. And that's the game for which the Nets will seek revenge Friday.

New Jersey Nets Getting Inside

Richard Jefferson never had a victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Jason Kidd hardly could remember even being competitive against them since coming to New Jersey. But, with one dominant quarter, the Nets ended six years of frustration. Jefferson scored 28 points and New Jersey snapped an 11-game losing streak against Dallas with a 100-89 victory Sunday.

Nets 100, Mavericks 89 (AP)

Jason Kidd's offensive woes continued, so he turned back the clock and produced a defensive performance that belied his years. Kidd was a major reason the New Jersey Nets held Kobe Bryant to 24 points, 11 below his average, in a 92-89 win Friday night. Nenad Krstic scored 26 points and tapped in a missed shot by Vince Carter with 13 seconds left for the winning points, and Bryant missed a long...

Nets 92, Lakers 89 (AP)

As much as the New Jersey Nets and Washington Wizards count on their outstanding trios, it helps to have scoring from elsewhere, too. The Nets got more of a boost from role players Tuesday night and that, coupled with Richard Jefferson's 21-point second half, allowed New Jersey to break open a tight game late, beating Washington 112-100 for its sixth consecutive victory.

Nets 112, Wizards 100 (AP)

It didn't matter that Clifford Robinson had missed seven of his first nine shots. He was open and the game was on the line, and players don't hang around for 17 years in the NBA if they don't cash in more of those opportunities than they squander. Robinson made two 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to help New Jersey pull away, and the Nets beat Minnesota 86-82 Thursday night for their seventh...

Nets 86, Timberwolves 82 (AP)

Richard Jefferson had a message that should provide some comfort for the New Jersey Nets' remaining opponents this season. "We will lose a game," the Nets forward conceded Wednesday night. "Things can change in one quarter, or in five minutes." Jefferson scored 27 points to help the Nets beat the weary Memphis Grizzlies 86-74 and tie a season high with their 10th straight win.

Nets 86, Grizzlies 74 (AP)

LeBron James and the Cavaliers finally have postseason plans. The New Jersey Nets will have their ticket soon. And both teams look as though they might have something to say about that presumed Detroit-Miami conference final. James helped end the NBA's third-longest playoff drought by scoring 46 points in a 107-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.

LeBron has playoff plans, Nets have momentum (AP)

Vince Carter's career has been built on his flashy offensive skills. But for one crucial moment Sunday night, it was Carter's defensive ability that stole the show. Carter scored 22 points, then had a game-saving steal as the New Jersey Nets won their eighth straight game, beating the Detroit Pistons 79-74.

Nets 79, Pistons 74 (AP)

New Jersey's dominance of Phoenix was so stunning that Nets coach Lawrence Frank had trouble keeping track of it. Nenad Krstic had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the Nets won their ninth straight game, holding the Suns to their lowest point total of the season in a 110-72 rout on Monday night. "Midway through the third quarter, I was working on my math skills," Frank said.

Nets 110, Suns 72 (AP)