It’s a big game tomorrow for the Nets. At Indiana, against a team they seek to replace in the standings for the playoffs bid. People have asked the Nets about it all week.
The problem was the Nets had business to tend to before the Pacers, namely a home game with Utah last night.
“Us, looking past anybody? Not the way we’re capable of having a bad game. We’ve got to be prepared for Utah and think only about Utah. We’ll have plenty of time to think about Indiana,” Jason Kidd said beforehand. “We’re not going to look by anybody.”
Kidd’s recent play has been a big reason why the Nets sought a third straight victory and fourth in five games. While it seemed he had given up by his play and actions during and after a loss to Orlando Mar. 5, he has averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 assists and 8.2 rebounds in the five games since. The Nets are 3-2 in those games, with the defeats to the Spurs and Heat.
So maybe his competitiveness is surging again, but Kidd seems to be playing with renewed purpose, something the Nets (29-36) must have if they are to grab a playoff spot and leave two of three teams – the Jermaine O’Neal-less Pacers (32-31), the train-wreck- waiting-to-happen Magic (31-33), and the disharmonious Sixers (31-33) – in the cold.
The problems affecting those teams – O’Neal’s shoulder injury, the Magic’s coaching change and the Chris Webber misery in Philly – all seem favorable for the Nets, if they can take advantage.
“It’s good for us,” said Jason Collins, whose twin brother Jarron was out for the disappointing Jazz with a shoulder injury. “At the same time, you can’t worry about what’s happening to other people. You just have to worry about yourself and try to keep the focus very narrow on what you want to try to accomplish, which is one game at a time.”
And even with the blow-to-the-gut loss of O’Neal, the Pacers still can be a formidable team, Kidd warned.
“Indiana has been without Jermaine O’Neal once before so they know how to win and play without him. They have some pressure guys over there who can pick up the load so we can’t take anybody lightly,” Kidd cautioned. “But we can’t worry about anybody else’s problems. We have to fix our own and make sure we don’t create any problems and go out there and win some ball games.”
As coach Lawrence Frank put it, “At this point, who we play is not as important as how we play. We’re competing against ourselves because we’re behind. So it’s how good can we be on both ends of the floor whether it’s against Utah or anyone else. We need to get as many wins as possible. Focus, that’s what it’s all about.”
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Cliff Robinson received treatment for a sore back and hip, suffered when he leaped into the stands after a loose ball Wednesday.
Jazz are one of the bigger disappointments. After solid start, Utah flamed out.
“They’ve had a lot of injuries. Andre [Kirilenko] got hurt, my brother got hurt, Carlos Boozer got hurt, Lopez. They also had the situation with Carlos Arroyo. The trade, they’ve had a lot of issues to deal with this season,” said Jason Collins.