The Nets managed to blow a 16-point lead and lose to the 21-36 Wizards on Sunday — so you can only imagine how bad it might get tonight when wretched New Jersey hosts the NBA-best Cavaliers.
Even without Shaquille O’Neal, who’s out the rest of the regular season following thumb surgery, the Cavs boast LeBron James and new arrival Antawn Jamison — and a 47-14 record compared to the Nets’ 6-53.
King James has averaged 28 points against the Nets in three games — all Cleveland wins — this season.
While the Nets will be able to focus most of their energy on James with Shaq on the shelf, the game will be much more fast-paced without O’Neal.
That presents other challenges.
“Shaq is such a presence underneath and in the middle, but without him, [J.J.] Hickson and [Anderson] Varejao are very active, and it’s tough to play against them,” said Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe.
It will be even tougher since the Nets again will be without Courtney Lee, one of their best defenders. Lee also missed Sunday’s game with an ankle injury.
Chris Douglas-Roberts, who started in his place, is expected to start again tonight. He did not play well, managing only four points in 31 minutes, and has not scored in double-figures in his past 15 games.
“I’m just trying to fill in for Courtney and not make any mistakes,” Douglas-Roberts said at practice yesterday.
While the Nets are 0-3 against the Cavs, a least the losses have been respectable — by 10, eight and seven points.
And hey, anything is possible — the Nets did, somehow, beat the Celtics in Boston on Saturday.
“We just have to come out and play hard,” Devin Harris said.
“We’ve played them well, and we have to try and jump on them early.”