EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The cross-river rivalry between the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks begins Saturday in Game One of an Eastern Conference first-round series.

New Jersey survived injuries to Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin to compile 47 wins and earn a third straight Atlantic Division title. Kidd and Martin's health will be a major issue on Saturday.

The game will also be a homecoming for former Net Stephon Marbury, the player New Jersey traded away to obtain Kidd. Marbury has never won a playoff series.

New York is back in the playoffs after a two-year absence. The Knicks last postseason appearance ended in a five-game first-round loss to Toronto in 2001.

MEANINGFUL MATCHUP: Jason Kidd vs. Stephon Marbury. These two point guards were traded for each other on July 18, 2001 in a deal that sent Kidd to New Jersey and Marbury to Phoenix. Marbury is living out a dream by playing with the Knicks, the team he wanted to play for since he was a child. Kidd feels this matchup will allow him to demonstrate that he is the league's best point guard.

WHO'S HOT: Knicks: G Stephon Marbury averaged 19.3 points and 6.7 assists vs. Nets this season. ... C Nazr Mohammed has collected 18 points and 14 rebounds over his last two games. Nets: G Richard Jefferson averaged 24 points per game in March and 16.5 in four games against the Knicks. ... G Lucious Harris shot over 40 percent in March and April after failing to do so the three previous months.

WHO'S NOT: Knicks: G Shandon Anderson has started for injured G Allan Houston in each of the last 14 games and is averaging just 8.4 points per game. Nets: C Jason Collins played all but four games this season, but only posted three double-doubles.

STREAKS: New Jersey lost 10 of its last 16 games while nursing injuries to Kidd and Martin. ... New York is 10-6 in its last 16 games.

SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: New Jersey is 10-2 against New York since Kidd joined the team.

The Nets have won seven straight at home vs. the Knicks.

INJURIES: Knicks: G Allan Houston (knee) has missed 13 of the last 14 games. ... Nets: F Kenyon Martin (knee) missed last two games.