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The Atlantic Division-leading
New Jersey Nets hope to notch just their second win in seven games without Jason
Kidd and Kenyon Martin as they visit the hapless Washington Wizards.
The Nets are 1-5 in six games without their injured All-Stars -- the lone win
coming in a a three-point victory over the lowly Chicago Bulls on March 23.
New Jersey has struggled to make baskets and committed costly turnovers down the stretch without Kidd running the show.
``Seventy-five percent of the games in the NBA are decided in the last three minutes,'' Nets forward Richard Jefferson said. ``Right now, we are playing so bad at the end that it's not even funny.''
Martin could be close to returning, perhaps as soon as this week, according to Nets coach Lawrence Frank. Sidelined with left knee tendinitis, the power forward went through a shootaround Monday.
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``He's working extremely hard at it,'' said Frank. ``There is definitely some
relief but it's not yet where he can play.''
The news is not as encouraging regarding Kidd and the bone bruise in his left knee.
``We have to try to find the best possible remedy and be proactive as possible yet there is nothing new to say,'' said Frank.
Jefferson has been doing virtually everything for New Jersey with Kidd and Martin sidelined. The third-year forward is averaging 25.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the last six games.
Jefferson led the Nets with 24 points and Lucious Harris added 18 in an 84-80 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday. Rodney Rogers added 16 points and 15 rebounds for New Jersey, which dropped its third in a row.
The Wizards have also lost three straight and five of their last six games. Larry Hughes scored 32 points and Gilbert Arenas added 30 in a 101-95 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
The Wizards have also had their share of injuries to deal with. Washington played without guards Steve Blake (thumb) and Juan Dixon (ankle) on Monday, and center Kwame Brown sprained his left ankle with 7:12 left in the third quarter and did not return.
STANDINGS (through March 29): Nets - 1st place, Atlantic Division. Wizards - 6th place, 19 1/2 GB, Atlantic Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Nets - F Jefferson, F Rogers, C Jason Collins, G Kerry Kittles, G Lucious Harris. Wizards - F Jared Jeffries, F Brown, C Brendon Haywood, G Arenas, G Hughes.
TEAM LEADERS: Nets - Jefferson, 18.5 ppg; Martin, 9.8 rpg; Kidd, 9.5 apg. Wizards - Arenas, 20.1 ppg and 5.2 apg; Brown, 7.4 rpg.
SEASON SERIES: Nets, 3-0.
LAST MEETING: Jan. 14; Nets, 115-103. At New Jersey, filling in for the suspended Martin, Rogers had 18 points, a season-high 13 rebounds and six assists to lead the Nets. Hughes scored 13 points for Washington.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Nets - 18-19 on the road; Wizards - 16-21 at home.
INJURIES: Nets - G Kidd (knee); F Martin (knee); C Alonzo Mourning (kidney). Wizards - F Jarvis Hayes (hamstring); F Lonny Baxter (knee); G Dixon (ankle); G Blake (thumb); C Brown (ankle).