Despite holding superstar Kevin Garnett to just two points in the first half, the Nets were not much of a match for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who cruised to a 96-75 victory in a matinee affair.
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"We needed that one bad," Minnesota coach Kevin McHale said. "We go home and play again tomorrow (Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers)."
The Nets slipped three games behind Philadelphia for the final Eastern Conference postseason spot. They appeared to be on the verge of making a playoff push with five straight wins against East teams, but the charge has been derailed by two teams from the West - Memphis and Minnesota. Memphis posted a 105-96 win over New Jersey, which is 10-19 against West teams, on Thursday night to end the streak.
"It's tough to explain that game," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "I don't think anything is fatal. We've still got blood pumping, we're still breathing and we've obviously had our share of highs and lows."
New Jersey succeeded in containing Garnett, who finished with just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting, and Latrell Sprewell, who scored only eight.
But the Nets didn't get adequate production from their stars - Vince Carter finished with 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting and Jason Kidd made just 3-of-12 shots for seven points.
"In these last two games we have gone in reverse," said Kidd, who added 10 rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers. "We have to fix it fast, because we're running out of time. We have (a game) on Monday, and we have to start a winning streak."
Garnett missed all seven shots he took in the first half, but the Timberwolves built a 48-35 lead with the help of an 11-0 run in the second quarter while he was on the bench. Sam Cassell sparked the spurt with a pair of jumpers and Eddie Griffin connected on a 3-pointer.
"I planned on resting him, but getting too much rest at this point of the season is not an issue," McHale said.
"It will make me fresher (for Sunday)," said Garnett, who played 31 minutes. "Minutes are an issue. Thirty-five minutes is less than 40. It makes a big difference."
Garnett awoke in the third quarter, scoring eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. Yet the Nets pulled within 62-55 on a pair of free throws by Carter with 3:55 left.
But the Timberwolves bridged the third and fourth quarter with a 19-6 run to open an 81-61 lead.
Cassell finished with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting..
A strained right hamstring has kept Cassell out of games and pushed him from the starting lineup.
"I'm sure his hamstring is still tight, but he says he can play," McHale said.
"I don't like it (coming off the bench)," Cassell said. "But I do what I do for the team. If he (McHale) decides to put me back in the starting lineup, that's fine. But it's not who starts, it's who finishes. If I was healthy, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in, fighting for our lives."
Wally Szczerbiak also provided a boost off the bench for Minnesota with 13 points.