As the men of Strikeforce invade the Garden State for a huge fight this weekend, the New Jersey Nets are just hoping they can put up some fight of their own as they try to pull out a rare road victory against the Bobcats Friday night in Charlotte. The Nets have lost their last 12 games on the road, dating back to December 21.
The Nets won for the second time in seven tries when they prevailed, 103-101, in overtime versus the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. Brook Lopez hit two free throws with 24.3 seconds remaining in OT and finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. Sasha Vujacic pumped in a career-high 25 points and Anthony Morrow supplied 15 for New Jersey, which halted a three-game slide and made a season-high 12 three-pointers (12-of-23). Vujacic hit 5-of-7 from downtown.
"We played like a championship type of team. Hopefully we can carry that on to the next game," said Vujacic.
Kris Humphries added 14 points and 15 boards for his team-leading 15th double- double. Jordan Farmar saw action after missing six games with a lower back injury and posted eight points with 11 assists.
The Bobcats have won three in a row against the Nets and both meetings this season, but New Jersey has fared well as the guest, going 9-3 in 12 matchups in the series. A loss by the Nets tonight will give Charlotte its first-ever series win. New Jersey owns a 16-8 all-time record against the Bobcats.
Charlotte has dropped three of four overall and five of seven games, including Wednesday's 104-103 setback to the Indiana Pacers. Josh McRoberts's tip-in with 1:21 left in the game sealed the win for Indiana.
Stephen Jackson finished with 27 points and Gerald Wallace contributed 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Bobcats, who shot .463 from the field and got 14 points, four assists and three rebounds from D.J. Augustin.
The Bobcats are 13-11 under Silas, after going 9-19 under the tutelage of Larry Brown in the season's first 28 games. They are 13-13 at home this season.
Sports Network contributed to this report.