The New Jersey Nets will look to win three in a row for the first time this season when they welcome the Houston Rockets to the Prudential Center Saturday night. In order to grab that winning streak, New Jersey will have to do it without Deron Williams.
The point guard will sit out with a calf strain he aggravated Friday night against the Charlotte Bobcats. Without Williams, the Nets were still able to rally past the lowly Bobcats picking up their second victory over them in the last week, 83-74. Kris Humphries helped pick up the slack with 20 points and 15 rebounds while Anthony Morrow poured in all 17 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Houston comes to town riding a season-worst five game losing streak, but with two days off they are well rested. The Rockets lost 116-98 to the Toronto Raptors Wednesday and were led by rookie Chandler Parson's 19 points and point guard Kyle Lowry continued his impressive season with 16 points.
New Jersey isn't likely to see much of former Net Terrence Williams. The reserve forward played 11 minutes against the Raptors, but have plenty of "DNP-CD"s on his resume this season thanks to the poor work ethic he showed off during his time in New Jersey.
If the Nets can overcome the loss of Williams -- not to mention the latest Brook Lopez injury -- they can continue an improbable push for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Entering action Saturday, New Jersey finds themselves just five games out in the loss column.
You can watch the game locally on YES or hear it on Bloomberg 1130 with tip scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
After a day off, the Nets return to action Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks at The Rock.