The New Jersey Nets will attempt to complete just their second winning road trip of the season when they take on the Miami Heat Tuesday night at American Airlines Arena. They'll have to do it with a roster once again depleted by injuries while the Heat will be at full strength.
After getting center Brook Lopez back for five games, the Nets lost him to an ankle injury suffered early in Sunday's victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. They will also still be without Mehmet Okur, leaving Johan Petro as the only healthy center on the roster.
The Nets will once again need to lean on point guard Deron Williams on offense. The All Star poured in a career-high 57 points against the Bobcats -- a franchise record -- a performance that might need to be repeated if New Jersey is going to take out the mighty Miami Heat.
Williams hit on 16-of-29 shots and an amazing 21-of-21 from the charity stripe. The only other Nets players to finish in double figures were Kris Humphries (11) and Shelden Williams (10).
Chris Bosh returns for the Heat after missing three games following the death of his grandmother. Miami lost two in a row while Bosh was away and will be looking to play more like they did during their recent nine-game winning streak.
The Heat continue to be led by MVP candidate LeBron James, who is averaging an eye-popping 27.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists. His line against New Jersey in a Jan. 7 101-90 victory was equally impressive: 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
New Jersey has dropped eight straight against the defending Eastern Conference champions.
You can watch the game locally on YES or listen on AM 970 with tip scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Next up, the Nets return home on Wednesday to take on the Los Angeles Clippers at the Prudential Center.